Track Premiere and Interview: Let Cave Moth's Grinding Violence Squash You Like a Bug

First of all, let it be known that this write-up will not include the words "melting," "crushing," or "chaotic," and sure as hell won't include that most problematic of terms – "dissonant." I say this, first and foremost, as a challenge to myself. Here goes: Cave Moth are a group of fine young men from the United States of America who have taken it upon themselves to explore those regions of sound usually reserved for sonic warfare and traumatic experience. They combine elements of noise, grindcore, and death metal, all of which come together to a sharp point. Kind of like sticking a stick in your eye, only with off-kilter mathcore rhythms, pummeling riffs, and some great, borderline brutal death metal vocals. They're about to release a fantastic new album by the name of Paralytic Love in April, and if you're into bands like Knoll, Fawn Limbs, or early-mid Full of Hell then you are advised to check that shit out.

Here's their newest single, the aptly named "Silence," for your listening pleasure, along with an interview with band members Dan (vocals), and Fred (bass) about the music they dig and/or which has inspired them. Enjoy the track and the pleasant conversation below. Oh, and: Melting, crushing, chaotic, and dissonant. Fuck me, and fuck my decisions.

As always, check out our various interview projects and other cool shit. And if you'd like to keep abreast of the latest, most pressing developments follow us wherever we may roam (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Spotify and now also TIK TOK!), and listen to our shitty podcast (YouTube, Spotify, Apple), and to check out our amazing compilation albums– we just released anew one!. You can support our unholy work here (Patreon), if you feel like it. Early access to our bigger projects, weekly exclusive recommendations and playlists, and that wonderful feeling that you're encouraging a life-consuming habit. On to Cave Moth.

What was the 1st album you bought with your own money and where did you buy it?

Dan: White Stripes – Elephant, around 2003.

Fred: Define the Great Line by Underoath. Bought it at a fuckin' Target in 6th grade.

What 2 or 3 albums did you hear most growing up?

Dan: My parents had a huge range in taste, my dad is older and into jazz, Motown, older garage rock stuff from the 70s and 80s, but also staying hip with the current wave of music. I remember listening to Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk on repeat. He also hid a Snoop Dogg Doggystyle tape where I couldn’t reach. But you know I grabbed that shit. My mom was into more fun stuff, Tom Tom Club, Ramones, Zeppelin. So, I was into that too. Can’t think of any one thing in particular as they taught me to seek out my own taste early on.

Brian: Boston's self-titled, Iron Maiden's Powerslave, and Green Day's Dookie come to mind

What albums taught you the most about the technical aspect of music?  

Dan: Like, technicality? Well, aside from growing up on jazz, my gateway album was Mars Volta’s Frances the Mute, followed in suit by Mastodon’s Leviathan and Blood Mountain, and then late oughts tech like The Faceless and After the Burial. Before that, my early foray into metal was through Slayer, Bathory, Mayhem, the essentials. So, it was a breath of fresh air at the time. Now as far as heavy music goes, whether it be tech or straight and to the point. I fuck with it all.

Brian: The Bedlam in Goliath by The Mars Volta was one of the first albums I remember following closely. The story behind it all, the changes and challenges they went through while writing and recording it, the horror stories from some of the band members. Real heady shit, dude. You probably aren't smart enough to get it tbh.

What was the last album that shocked you?

Dan: Shocked? I don’t know, nothing is that surprising to me anymore. That said, the first that came to mind is Extra Life's Secular Works 2. Unbelievable and hard to describe.

Brian: Underwater by Ludovico Einauldi.

What album relaxes or centers you most?

Dan: Some that come to mind are Iron & Wine’s first 3 full lengths, Ryley Walker’s Primrose Green, John Fahey (all folky stuff), Ryuichi Sakamoto’s solo works and his ambient collabs, especially Cendre with Fennesz.

Brian: The Campfire Headphase by Boards of Canada. I can listen to it in any state of mind, and it brings me right back to the day I first listened to it.

What 2 or 3 albums have you been listening to the most recently?

Dan: Eight – Delight in Eight, Rival Schools – United by Fate, McLusky – My Pain and Sadness is More Sad and Painful Than Yours, and the Unwound self titled.

Brin: Obscura by Gorguts (the only good thing named Obscura, period), Longhena by Gridlink, and Yodney Dangerfield by Your Old Droog.

What Album is grossly underrated?

Dan: Underrated? Not sure. Most of the bad ratings I see are for bad albums. I’m not gonna say Cold Lake or something. How about Toy Ride by Toy-Box?

Brian: Argybargy by Squeeze. If you hate new wave, plague be upon your homestead.

What album would you recommend from your local scene?

Dan: I have too many local bands to shout out without it being a separate article. How about the fuckin Dropkick Murphys khed? Obey ya motha.

Brian: Pure Joy – Numb Grief-stricken Animals by Triac, Consume / Deny / Repent by No/Más, and Confined by Coke Bust.