Mo’ynoq and Urocyon: A New Era of American Black Metal

Reviving the American Black Metal Scene

Based in Asheville, North Carolina, Mo’ynoq has spent the last decade challenging the notion that black metal is predominantly a product of the frigid North. Their unique sound, which embraces the atmospheric qualities of the Southern United States, has garnered attention within the underground metal community. After a three-year hiatus since their last album, A Place for Ash, Mo’ynoq is back, this time in collaboration with fellow Asheville black metal trio, Urocyon.

A Distinctly American Sound

Both bands on this split release bring a distinctly American flavor to their music, drawing inspiration from influential USBM acts like Krallice, Ash Borer, and Nachtmystium. For fans of raw and uncompromising black metal, this split promises to deliver a rich listening experience. The split is set for independent release on April 18, and eager listeners can stream it below.

Insights from the Bands

Songwriting Process

Mo’ynoq: “Sorta. We typically write as a collective, so parts of these songs had been in our rehearsal space for months. It wasn’t until we had the split as a goal that they were fully fleshed out.”

Urocyon: “Yes, we have. Our songwriting is a slow process due to personal responsibilities and our perfectionist tendencies. The Sentient Curse was originally intended for our old band, Shadow of the Destroyer, but we decided to rework it for our new three-piece setup.”

The Birth of the Split

Mo’ynoq: “We’ve talked about doing a split with Urocyon for years, even before their previous project disbanded. With Dave Kaminsky joining on guitar in November 2023, it became a great opportunity to collaborate and learn to write together.”

Urocyon: “We became friends with Mo’ynoq about six or seven years ago, and they have been supportive since the inception of Urocyon. Although we live across the state, we try to play shows together often, and it took us a while to finally make this split happen.”

Finding Musical Identity

Urocyon: “Not really. The three of us have played together since 2011, so we had a clear vision for what we wanted to achieve with Urocyon.”

Thematic Exploration

Mo’ynoq: “Our songs delve into themes of individual suffering and the struggle to cope with uncontrollable circumstances. The motivation behind this split was to showcase North Carolina’s black metal scene while collaborating with friends.”

Urocyon: “While our songs don’t share a common theme, they focus on humanity’s destructive impact on the earth and the inevitable ecological collapse that follows. The main goal of this split was to celebrate our friendship and highlight the North Carolina black metal scene.”

Conclusion

With this upcoming split, Mo’ynoq and Urocyon are set to carve their names further into the annals of American black metal. Their collaboration not only highlights the talent within their local scene but also reinforces the idea that black metal is a genre that can thrive anywhere, adapting and evolving to reflect its surroundings. As fans eagerly await the release, it’s clear that both bands are committed to pushing the boundaries of the genre while remaining true to their roots.

FAQs

When is the release date for the split?

The split will be released independently on April 18.

What themes are explored in the music?

Mo’ynoq’s songs deal with individual suffering and coping with uncontrollable events, while Urocyon’s tracks focus on humanity’s destructive impact on the environment.

How did the collaboration between Mo’ynoq and Urocyon come about?

Both bands have been friends for several years and have discussed a split for a long time. The addition of a new guitarist in Mo’ynoq provided the perfect opportunity for collaboration.

What can listeners expect from the music?

Listeners can expect a distinctly American sound that draws from influential USBM bands, offering raw and intense black metal music that showcases the essence of both bands.