Moodie Black – All Natural Moodie Black

Here is an Artist that is most likely not on the radar for most HarshVocals.com readers or pod listeners, however, Moodie Black is the exact type of music that will resonate with many a metalhead. Created and built by Kristen Martinez(She/Her), Moodie Black(MB) is a direct extension of them and the trials, tribulations and victories that coalesce to make an individuals life into a story. These tales are told through Rap accompanied by an all encompassing mesh of noise. Loud and abrasive, the noise presented here is pointed and textural forming riffs and waves that allow the listener to follow along and not only move to the music but, dare I say, fully dance along in the catharsis.

Through these mediums a dense panoramic soliloquy is conveyed to the listener and with enough listens one can begin to really HEAR what we are being told by Kristen. Many of these topics are deeply personal and I am always blown away by the level of sheer honesty and openness displayed within this music. In the years leading up to the albums release the project became a solo effort with the loss of a longtime member and this is reflected both is sound and lyrics. Songs topics range from life in the Desert, to the aftermath of various losses and breakups, the ordeals that a Trans person goes through simply existing, and a whole cadre worth of emotion and experiences. I have followed/listened to MB for over a decade and they have become one of the artists that never fails to impress me.

Thus we are brought to the album “All Natural Moodie Black”. This is easily one of my most anticipated albums of the year and I am so happy that it is finally out. At 55 minutes this release is slightly longer than previous output and has a very intentional, almost meditative, vibe that demands attention. The beats are largely made of Guitar noise and large Droning passages layed over some very hard hitting Drums, all the while KM Raps for her life. I found myself listening to the album during quiet parts of my day, walking the dog, Kitchen prep, cleaning, etc. This allowed me to resonate with this new, more subtle, version of Moodie Black. The album can be listened to in parts, as every track stands out with individuality, but as a whole they converge into a large piece of art that has a profound effect on the listener. At the end I find myself almost exhausted from the sheer weight and genuine reality of another’s life experience. MB is a pioneer in this sound realm with few apt comparisons, and for the Harshvocals.com audience I can only encourage an open minded listen.

I was first exposed to MB when they opened for Aesop Rock around the time Skelthal was released (2014 I think it was). They easily stole the show and when a friend and I went to buy a print after the show K was so psyched she dapped us up and gave us free copies of the Sana Sana cd! In the time since I have seen MB at least 5 times and each and every time it is a very emotional, profound, and physical experience as KM flaggelates and moves around not only the stage, but the entire room. All that to say that Kristen Martinez and MB is a Artist/Project/Musician/Person that I will always be excited to hear from and I urge everyone to support. Here is a music video for “Warm for You” please listen to the album in full and at maximum volume!

They have some dates in mid November touring the Southwest and have merch including Vinyl and a Lyric book on BANDCAMP as well as the bandcamp for the label FAKE FOUR