Moon Tooth - Phototroph (2022)^{Release ID: 37094}

I wasn't aware of New York progressive metal outfit Moon Tooth prior to Saxy nominating "Phototroph" for The Gateway feature release status this month but it's been a pleasant surprise for me as I've found them to be a capable & classy metal outfit. I'd suggest that they're probably more of a progressive metal band than an alternative metal one & "Phototroph" might have been a slightly better fit for The Infinite but there can be no denying Moon Tooth's alternative edge, particularly in the vocals of John Carbone who sounds very much like Sevendust front man Lajon Witherspoon to me. There's a strong Mastodon influence here with many of the riff structures being quite complex but there are also some tracks that take a more accessible alternative route. I particularly enjoy the lead guitar work of Riot V axe man Nick Lee who showcases a clear Eric Johnson influence in his fluent & speedy runs. The only track I didn't enjoy was the lightweight "Carry Me Home" but this was easily compensated for by the stunning progressive metal highlight track "O My Isle" which is a couple of steps up from the rest of the material (& is apparently the least popular track on the album according to RYM). Fans of fairly melodic & accessible yet structurally ambitious metal are unlikely to be disappointed with a record like "Phototroph".

One of 2022's under the radar progressive metal albums was from the band Moon Tooth. I have seen the name pop up on occasion in my progressive spheres and many of them were excited to hear the newest offering. And while I am fashionably late once again, Phototroph is a well performed, constructed and unique record.

Phototroph has an interesting dichotomy in its performance, which is split between a hybrid of nu-metal and progressive rock, mixed in with some clean vocal stylings of Nick Lee. What makes this work is how powerful the vocals are; while the instrumental has some heavy crunch that sometimes bleeds into metalcore, the lead vocals are pronounced with a strong backing presence. Much of the time, these vocals could border on the side of prissy, but here they work by way of sounding like a cleaner version of Mudvayne's Chad Grey.

The progressive elements on Phototroph are limited, but that allows for the songwriting to take center stage. I really enjoy the riffs on this record and how well they compliment the vocal melodies of "Back Burner" and "Grip on the Ridge". When the album is not working, it is usually on the back of trying too hard for the progressive crowd, which does lead to guitar solos taking precedent over everything else.

The song "Alpha Howl" encapsulates everything that Phototroph is about; the Slipknot chugging riff, the Mudvayne vocals, the math rock guitar leads/solos. If these sounds interest you, then you will likely find something of value in the Phototroph. I really enjoyed this, but the midway point of the record does drag a bit, so I don't think I can call it great.

Best Songs: Back Burner, The I That Never Dies, Alpha Wolf, Nymphaeaceae, Phototroph