Reviews

EP Review: Moth Priest - Self-Titled

by The Metalverse

Updated February 17, 2025

EP Review: Moth Priest’s Self Titled EP | The Metalverse

Tracklist:

First Frost
The Bottom
Excavation
No Ritual
The Return

Review

Hailing from Cincinnati, Doom metal act Moth Priest just released their self-titled EP on January 31st. The beginning track “First Frost” introduces itself with ambient clean guitar melodies that set a dark and sludgy tone before bursting into fuzz-driven doom styled guitar chords and bright melodic instrumentals as grooving cymbal hits fill in the background. Eerie scream-singing vocals soon are brought into the mix reminding us of all time greats like Gojira. After a chunky bridge with double bass drumming and powerful instrumentals, “First Frost” slowly fades out.

The second track, “The Bottom” starts off with intense chugging and dramatic guitar chords as distant vocals are soon introduced. Moth Priest shows no fear of experimentation with lofi elements scattered throughout the song and a unique use of pitch-shifting on vocals creates a dark and slowed sound before launching into brutally heavy chunky riffs and harsh screaming.

Next up is “Excavation” and the track quickly showcases the darkest and most ominous sound of the album as signature doom-inspired chord progressions introduce themselves before Moth Prjest catapaults listeners into intensely fierce down-tempo metal shreddage. In an explosive change of pacing, “Excavation” jumps into racing thrash metal with booming blast beats before ending in a dramatically slowed section.

“No Ritual” starts with a slower tempo and a stronger influence on groovy doom riffs. Soon echoing clean vocals join the fray, creating a dark yet melodic sound. Moth Priest doesn’t hesitate to switch things up though, eventually changing into powerful double bass drumming and extreme metal brutality. Throughout their music Moth Priest does an excellent job of creating contrast through different tempos, mixed clean and heavy vocals, and intricate instrumental soundscapes.

The final song “The Return” wastes no time, bursting right into slamming drums, booming guitar chords, and bright leads. Clean singing quickly join the mix as multiple vocal layers create depth and add to the song’s production. In a sudden change of dynamics, Moth Priest slings listeners into dramatic extreme metal chugging and an unexpected groove metal section with ferocious vocal styles. Layered over a soaring guitar solo, “The Return” features emotional screaming that fades out the song on a powerful note.

Fans of doom, sludge, thrash, and extreme metal genres are sure to enjoy Moth Priest’s equally brutal and experimental sound. You can stream the band’s self titled EP out everywhere now!