Named after the bleak desolate town of Mo’ynoq the black metal outfit hailing out of North Carolina is gearing up to release their latest black metal epic “A Place For Ash” on September 9th, and I recently caught up with Logan Holloway and Justin Valletta to talk all about the album and all things Mo’ynoq, (even how to pronounce it properly Moy Nok).

The American black metal outfit MO’YNOQ return to fall deeper into labyrinths of anguish and despair in their sophomore album A Place For Ash. Brandishing feral riffs and cadaverous imagery, MO’YNOQ unearths the dark realities of depression, despair, and loss. The quartet draws inspiration from the likes of IMMORTAL, WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM, MGLA , along with the savage side to reality from which so many avert their gaze. Seething anguish seeps through A Place For Ash with raging power. Ferocious screams introduce the opening track “Penance” before a deathly gloom emerges through the all-encompassing atmosphere. Unceasing percussion and dominant distortion across the instruments produce an incessant disquiet. “Effigies Adorned in Fire” is ablaze with intricate tremolo guitar parts and thundering drums. It’s an onslaught of sheer speed, delivering a differing mood with these textures and tones taking prominence. Concluding the album with “The Beast that Mourned at the Heart of the Mountain”, the epic fury reaching almost twelve minutes, this final act sees the majestic elements of MO’YNOQ’s sound converge. While maintaining their footing along the path of the dark and heavy, there are uplifting, soaring qualities to be found in the lead melodies.

A Place For Ash lays bear nightmarish horrors for all to see. MO’YNOQ artfully craft their compositions to indulge in the variety of instrumental and vocal textures that form their black metal sound. The new record delivers a profound musical journey through the ever-growing shadows of our world.

Past Releases: Anguish and Atonement Demo – January 2016 Bardo EP – February 2017 Dreaming In A Dead Language LP – January 2019