Moon Destroys – Omni
Release Date: 4th September 2026
Label: Blues Funeral Recordings
Bandcamp
Genre: Sludge, Psych, Post-Grunge.
FFO: Torche, Mastodon, Abrams.
Review By: Paul Cairney
Following last year’s debut full-length, ‘She Walks by Moonlight’, Moon Destroys have returned with album number 2, Omni. Formed by founding Torche guitarist, Juan Montoya and drummer/Bass/synth good guy Evan Diprima, Moon Destroys are joined by new vocalist Zach Amster whom you may know from the rather excellent Abrams.
It is fairly difficult to categorise the trio into any form of genre. They tickle a bit of post-grunge, drive-by a bit of doom and, quite frankly, just deliver tracks the way that they need to be delivered. This attitude makes for a fairly decent listen, before you come to the elephant in the room, so to speak.
And it is a big elephant!
Good points first. Omni is full of chunky riffs and supremely catchy melodies, as you would expect from Montoya. ‘Flowers’ is the first song to really capture this. The song grabs you and swings you about with unrestrained joy. ‘The Missing Wish’ shows the bands heavier side, but without losing the infectious nature of the album. Throughout the album, the band combine riffs, with consistent vocals and the game-changer for Moon Destroys. The synths layered throughout the album enhance the tracks, giving depth and a soundscape that just won’t quit.
However, there is a song that will divide opinion. Is it just poorly positioned on the album? Does it not fit in with the full aesthetic of Omni? Or, is it a superb end to a decent album?
‘She Cried’ closes out the album, with heartfelt lyrics and a slower, more considerate pace to most of the earlier songs. Some may love it. I found it a twee, plodding piece of self-indulgent nonsense. I couldn’t care less if she cried when you told her you were leaving, and the mere fact you kissed her goodbye, and the kiss definitely being a goodbye kiss was out of order, as you made her cry even more.
Perhaps I didn’t get the song, but it attempts to derail the album spectacularly. The fact that it is the one song that will stick in your head will be infuriating.
The fact remains, Moon Destroys is 90% enjoyable. Well written, excellently delivered, and genuinely catchy. Just lose the guff at the end.
(3.5 / 5)
