Progressive Metal Unit MOTHS Release New Single "Wrath" + Music Video

Today, MOTHS, the progressive metal unit from San Juan, Puerto Rico, are pleased to release "Wrath," the second single from their upcoming album 'Septem,' due out August 1st. The new track arrives alongside an official music video, available to view below.

"Wrath" marks a bold evolution for MOTHS, as they weave Black Metal elements into their signature blend of Doom and Progressive Metal. The track channels overwhelming rage toward a world that offers no compromise—an eruption of frustration against systemic hardship and existential weight. The scorched-earth imagery reflects a desperate desire to start over, even while acknowledging that such renewal is never truly clean. Amidst the track’s unrelenting force, Mariel’s sopranoesque vocals float like a haunting specter—eerie, mysterious, and dark—offering a chilling contrast to the fury beneath. "Wrath" is a statement piece: theatrical, aggressive, and unafraid to confront the chaos head-on.

On the new single, bassist Weslie Negrón comments:

"‘Wrath’ was one of the songs we finished while recording 'Septem' at Romaphonic Studiosin Buenos Aires. I remember how everything came together quickly—it all just made sense, and we ran with it. We loved it from the start. We knew the track needed something eerie and full of depth, and Mariel absolutely delivered. When she added her vocals—especially that final section—it blew us away. The contrast between her soprano-style delivery and the chaos underneath brought out a haunting quality that elevated the whole piece. It’s also one of our favorite tracks to perform live. The energy and aggression in 'Wrath' are unlike anything we’ve done before—it’s intense, and honestly, just so much fun to play."

Watch the Music Video for "Wrath"

MOTHS' upcoming album, 'Septem,' is a visceral journey through the Seven Deadly Sins, with each track embodying a facet of indulgence, obsession, and self-destruction—from the corrosive jealousy of "Envy" to the insatiable hunger of "Gluttony" and the rage of "Wrath." The album plunges listeners into a dark, immersive experience where desire spirals into chaos.

Diving deeper into heavier territory, MOTHS fuse elements of Death and Black Metal with their signature blend of Progressive, Psychedelic, Doom, and Stoner Metal, crafting a sound that’s both aggressive and atmospheric.

'Septem' was recorded in just five days at Romaphonic Studios in Buenos Aires, capturing the raw energy and inspiration of the setting. It also marks the debut of vocalist Mariel Viruet, whose range spans from haunting melodies to visceral screams.

The album was mixed by Walter Chacón (Los Fabulosos Cadillacs) and mastered by Jens Bogren (Opeth, Katatonia, Between the Buried and Me) at Fascination Street Studios in Sweden.

On the album, Weslie Negrón reflects:

"'Septem' is our most ambitious effort to date. From traveling to another country to record it, to the addition of a new vocalist, and creating it all amidst a world in turmoil—it's incredibly rewarding to finally see it out there. This album contains some of my favorite songs we've ever written as a band. You can feel our chemistry in these tracks, how we came together to make them happen, without any boundaries or 'rules' about how songs should be written. It's an intriguing, unpredictable, and unconventional album, one that I'm sure will feel like a fresh sound to everyone who hears it."

Pre-Order 'Septem' HERE

MOTHS have announced multiple US appearances, see dates below.

MOTHS Live:

8/3 – Asheville, NC @Fleetwood's

8/6 – Philadelphia, PA @ Philamoca

8/7 – Baltimore, MD @ The Depot

8/9 – Somerville, MA @ Somergloom Festival

About MOTHS:

MOTHS is a Progressive Metal band from San Juan, Puerto Rico that refuses to be confined to a single genre. Since their debut in 2018 with 'MOTHS,' followed by a split with The Stone Eyein 2020 and their acclaimed 2022 album 'Space Force,' they have proven to be a constantly evolving force in modern Metal.

But MOTHS is more than just music—it’s a full sensory experience. Their strong artistic direction makes every live performance more than just a show; it's an immersive journey. 'Space Force' put them on the map, earning praise from publications like Guitar World Magazine, Loudwire, Metal Injection, and MetalSucks.

They have shared the stage with bands such as The Ocean Collective, Circus Maximus, and The Well, and in 2023, they brought their unstoppable energy to the U.S. East Coast with The Chrysalis Migration Tour.

MOTHS is a must-listen. With every step forward, they continue to explore new sounds and challenge genre boundaries, proving that music has no limits when driven by passion and innovation.

MOTHS are:

Mariel Viruet – Vocals

Weslie Negrón – Bass

Jonathan Miranda – Lead Guitar

Omar González – Rhythm Guitar

Daniel Figueroa – Drums

Progressive Metal Unit MOTHS Announce New Album 'Septem' Out on August 1st

MOTHS, the Progressive Metal unit from San Juan, Puerto Rico, are excited to announce the release of their upcoming album 'Septem,' due out August 1st. In addition to the announcement, the band has shared the first single from the upcoming album titled "Gluttony." The new single is accompanied by a music video premiering on Metal Injection, and is available to view below.

On the new single, bassist Weslie Negrón shares:

"'Gluttony' is about the seductive nature of overindulgence—the way excess can feel like an endless feast until you realize you’ve lost control. The song invites you into this world of limitless pleasure, where every desire is satisfied, but at a cost. The more you take, the more you need, and before you know it, you're consumed by your own hunger. Jonathan (lead guitar), who wrote the lyrics, wanted each listener to feel like they were the one being tempted, not in some distant or abstract way, but in their own daily lives. Whether it’s food, greed, addiction, or any craving that never seems to be enough, the song puts you in that moment of temptation. The lyrics are meant to feel immersive, like a whispered invitation that slowly pulls you in. There’s a fine line between pleasure and corruption, and this song exists right at that tipping point.”

On the music video, Negrón comments:

"For the music video, we wanted to take a direct and unfiltered approach to visually represent 'Gluttony.' To bring this vision to life, we brought in Drew Storks (Shy, Low), whose work not only captured the essence of the concept but elevated it to the next level. Alongside Ian Garcíaand Kyle Devorroh, they translated the theme into something grotesque and visceral—turning the sin of excess into an unsettling, visual experience."

Watch the Music Video for "Gluttony" below:

MOTHS' upcoming album, 'Septem,' is a visceral journey through the Seven Deadly Sins, with each track embodying a facet of indulgence, obsession, and self-destruction—from the corrosive jealousy of "Envy" to the insatiable hunger of "Gluttony" and the rage of "Wrath." The album plunges listeners into a dark, immersive experience where desire spirals into chaos.

Diving deeper into heavier territory, MOTHS fuse elements of Death and Black Metal with their signature blend of Progressive, Psychedelic, Doom, and Stoner Metal, crafting a sound that’s both aggressive and atmospheric.

'Septem' was recorded in just five days at Romaphonic Studios in Buenos Aires, capturing the raw energy and inspiration of the setting. It also marks the debut of vocalist Mariel Viruet, whose range spans from haunting melodies to visceral screams.

The album was mixed by Walter Chacón (Los Fabulosos Cadillacs) and mastered by Jens Bogren (Opeth, Katatonia, Between the Buried and Me) at Fascination Street Studios in Sweden.

On the album, Weslie Negrón reflects:

"'Septem' is our most ambitious effort to date. From traveling to another country to record it, to the addition of a new vocalist, and creating it all amidst a world in turmoil—it's incredibly rewarding to finally see it out there. This album contains some of my favorite songs we've ever written as a band. You can feel our chemistry in these tracks, how we came together to make them happen, without any boundaries or 'rules' about how songs should be written. It's an intriguing, unpredictable, and unconventional album, one that I'm sure will feel like a fresh sound to everyone who hears it."

Pre-Order 'Septem' HERE

MOTHS will be competing in the Wacken Metal Battle Caribbean on April 26th at La Respuesta in Santurce, Puerto Rico for a chance to compete for a spot in the Wacken Metal Battle finals at this year’s Wacken Open Air in Germany. In addition, MOTHS have announced multiple US appearances, see dates below.

MOTHS Live:

4/26 - Santurce, Puerto Rico @ La Respuesta

8/6 – Philadelphia, PA @ Philamoca

8/7 – Baltimore, MD @ The Depot

8/9 – Somerville, MA @ Somergloom Festival

About MOTHS:

MOTHS is a Progressive Metal band from San Juan, Puerto Rico that refuses to be confined to a single genre. Since their debut in 2018 with 'MOTHS,' followed by a split with The Stone Eyein 2020 and their acclaimed 2022 album 'Space Force,' they have proven to be a constantly evolving force in modern Metal.

But MOTHS is more than just music—it’s a full sensory experience. Their strong artistic direction makes every live performance more than just a show; it's an immersive journey. 'Space Force' put them on the map, earning praise from publications like Guitar World Magazine, Loudwire, Metal Injection, and MetalSucks.

They have shared the stage with bands such as The Ocean Collective, Circus Maximus, and The Well, and in 2023, they brought their unstoppable energy to the U.S. East Coast with The Chrysalis Migration Tour.

MOTHS is a must-listen. With every step forward, they continue to explore new sounds and challenge genre boundaries, proving that music has no limits when driven by passion and innovation.

MOTHS are:

Mariel Viruet – Vocals

Weslie Negrón – Bass

Jonathan Miranda – Lead Guitar

Omar González – Rhythm Guitar

Daniel Figueroa – Drums

Puerto Rican Prog Rockers MOTHS Announce 2023 ‘Chrysalis Migration’ US Tour Dates

Puerto Rican prog/stoner rockers MOTHS have announced a string of US fall dates. The band is currently supporting their widely applauded 2022 full length, ‘Space Force’. The upcoming trek kicks off in Asheville, NC on October 14, and will conclude on October 21 in Brooklyn, NY. Following these US shows, MOTHS will return home to wrap the tour in Santurce, PR on October 28th.

Commenting on their upcoming shows in the states, the band shares:

"We are absolutely thrilled to return to the US after four long years! Our latest album, 'Space Force,' dropped just last year, and we can't wait to bring it to life on this tour. We're also playing new material that explores a more dark and extreme side of the band. We're just excited to meet new faces and connect with them through our music!"

MOTHS

Chrysalis Migration 2023 Tour

October 14 – Asheville, NC @ Fleetwood’s

October 16 – Durham, NC @ Rubies on Five Points

October 18 – Baltimore, MD @ The Depot

October 19 – Reading, PA @ Nitro Bar

October 20 – Medford, MA @ The Bang Space

October 21 – Brooklyn, NY @ The Meadows

October 28 – Santurce, PR @ La Respuesta

MOTHS, a trailblazing progressive metal band hailing from the vibrant city of San Juan, Puerto Rico, has consistently captivated audiences with their innovative musical tapestries and unique creative spirit. A quintet of remarkable talent, the band's musical journey is characterized by their fearless exploration of diverse genres, resulting in a distinct fusion that defies categorization. With a discography that includes their eponymous debut 'MOTHS' (2018), a groundbreaking split album with Philadelphia's The Stone Eye in 2020, and the acclaimed masterpiece 'Space Force' (2022), MOTHS has etched their name as one of the most exciting acts in the modern metal scene.

Driven by a desire to reimagine the boundaries of sound, MOTHS have proven themselves as artisans of sonic alchemy. Seamlessly blending elements of progressive metal, stoner, and doom metal with intricate nuances of jazz and math rock, their music transcends conventions and crafts a unique auditory experience that resonates deeply. The band's lineup comprises the dynamic Mariel Viruet, whose vocals wield emotive power, Weslie Negrón on bass, Omar González and Jonathan Miranda on guitars, and Daniel Figueroa on drums, each member contributing a vital ingredient to the musical cauldron.

MOTHS' creative prowess extends beyond sound, as they ingeniously interweave their music with visual artistry to construct a holistic audiovisual journey. This seamless integration of artwork and music elevates their performances into an immersive sensory escapade, forging an unbreakable connection between the auditory and visual realms.

'Space Force,' the band's magnum opus, has garnered widespread acclaim from critics and connoisseurs alike. Earning accolades from prominent rock and heavy metal publications such as Guitar World Magazine, Loudwire, Metal Injection, MetalSucks, and more, the album's audacious soundscapes and thought-provoking narratives have left an indelible mark on the music landscape.

Their live performances have also left audiences awestruck, having shared stages with German titans The Ocean Collective and the venerable Stoner Metal icons, The Wellfrom Austin, Texas.

As the momentum surges, MOTHS embarks on their eagerly awaited Chrysalis Migration 2023 Tour, marking their second-ever tour in the United States. This monumental journey will traverse seven cities along the East Coast, allowing fans and newcomers alike to experience the electrifying energy and boundless creativity that defines MOTHS' live shows.



For enthusiasts of bands such as Mastodon, Baroness, and The Mars Volta, MOTHSoffers an unparalleled sonic odyssey. With their artistry evolving and their impact expanding, MOTHS continues to reshape the sonic landscape, reminding us that the realm of possibilities within music is infinite when guided by innovation and passion.

Check Out 'Space Force' HERE

MOTHS are:

Damaris Rodríguez – Vocals

Daniel Figueroa – Drums

Jonathan Miranda – Lead Guitar

Omar González – Rhythm Guitar

Weslie Negrón – Bass

MEDIA ALERT: MOTHS Partner with New Noise Magazine for 'Space Force' Exclusive Album Stream

MOTHS Partner with New Noise Magazine for Space ForceExclusive Album Stream - LISTEN HERE

Debut LP Out Tomorrow!

On the eve of releasing their highly anticipated debut album, MOTHS are partnering with New Noise Magazine for an exclusive stream of the new LP, Space Force! The new album, which features the singles "Unbound" and "Space Force", will be released TOMORROW (Aug. 12), but you can hear it now over at New Noise!

Stream link: https://newnoisemagazine.com/premieres/album-premiere-moths-space-force-visualizer-video/

Speaking to New Noise about their debut album, the band comments:

“After what has been essentially three years in the making, we’re proud to finally unveil this piece of work. We’ve put our heart and souls into the release of this album and we hope it captures the attention of both established fans and new audiences. This is a rollercoaster of an album and the desire is that everyone can enjoy the audiovisual experience that ‘Space Force’ brings!”

PRE-ORDER HERE

About MOTHS

Every band wants to strike a pristine balance between evoking their influences, embracing their originality, and earning their place within the genre(s) they inhabit. That’s often easier said than done, especially when it comes to styles that have developed so quickly and broadly over the past few decades. As stoner/progressive metal quintet MOTHS proves, however, it can certainly be done. Fusing charming familiarity with captivating freshness, their prior two releases—2018’s self-titled EP and 2020’s split with Philadelphia rockers The Stone Eye—demonstrated an exceptional ability and willingness to saturate shades of their musical forebearers with plenty of wide-ranging and idiosyncratic personality.

As remarkable as both of those collections were, though, they’re mere appetizers compared to what MOTHS have crafted with their debut LP, Space Force. A “complete audio-visual experience”—as bassist Weslie Negrón puts it—the record sees the group composing their most mature, expansive, and rewarding material to date. Packed with quirkily intricate yet welcoming instrumentation, as well as highly varied and compelling songwriting and vocal approaches, Space Force is a thrilling statement of purpose and validity from one of stoner/progressive metal’s greatest up-and-coming acts.

Of course, MOTHS are also motivated by their culture, and alongside standout acts like Avandra, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, Errant Society, and Parallel Dimension, they rank as one of the best Puerto Rican stoner/progressive metal groups. “It’s part of our DNA to put some Puerto Rican influences into our music. For example, the closing section of ‘Awake’ taps into Latin jazz,” Negrón reveals. In addition, he, Miranda, and González studied Popular Music at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico (and Rodríguez has the same major), so MOTHS are well versed in the “odd time signatures” present in Salsa, Bomba, and Plena (among other styles).

Naturally, that broad musical palette helped make Moths, and Moths/The Stone Eye Split incredibly illustrative. Plus, their distinctive sound and fortitude led to Moths getting spotlighted on Bandcamp Daily in 2018, as well as its second track—" Adhara & Ray”—being featured in Adult Swim’s “Stimulus Swim” playlist in 2020. As such, there’s already considerable hype for what Space Force will bring to the table, and luckily, it’s guaranteed to exceed all expectations.

From its gentle and cosmic guitar prelude (“Space Cowboy Ballad”) and fusion of ‘70s heavy metal and progressive death metal (“Broken Slumber”) to its hybrid of experimental space rock and jazz rock (“There’s No Place Like Space”), Space Force is an extremely diverse, engrossing, and poised voyage. Coupled with its equally mind-bending artwork, the LP surely finds MOTHS at the most imaginative and skillful stage of their career.

MOTHS Lineup:

Damaris Rodríguez – Vocals

Daniel Figueroa – Drums

Jonathan Miranda – Lead Guitar

Omar González – Rhythm Guitar

Weslie Negrón – Bass

MOTHS Partner with Metal Injection to Premiere "Space Force" Music Video

Puerto Rican stoner/prog outfit MOTHS have unveiled a new music video for the title track from their upcoming debut album. The band has partnered with Metal Injection to premiere the music video for "Space Force", which can be seen below.

Speaking about the upcoming LP, the band shares:

“Space Force marks an evolutionary step in our music and everything we’ve created as a band up to this point. This album represents maturity both lyrically and musically, and with it, an esoteric journey for those who want to encounter challenging music. The title track 'Space Force' represents our most experimental and prog side, though there are still a lot of heavy, catchy riffs. This is probably the song that best captures the essence of the band."

'Space Force' is set for release on August 12th, 2022.

PRE-ORDER HERE

About MOTHS

Every band wants to strike a pristine balance between evoking their influences, embracing their originality, and earning their place within the genre(s) they inhabit. That’s often easier said than done, especially when it comes to styles that have developed so quickly and broadly over the past few decades. As stoner/progressive metal quintet MOTHS proves, however, it can certainly be done. Fusing charming familiarity with captivating freshness, their prior two releases—2018’s self-titled EP and 2020’s split with Philadelphia rockers The Stone Eye—demonstrated an exceptional ability and willingness to saturate shades of their musical forebearers with plenty of wide-ranging and idiosyncratic personality.

As remarkable as both of those collections were, though, they’re mere appetizers compared to what MOTHS have crafted with their debut LP, Space Force. A “complete audio-visual experience”—as bassist Weslie Negrón puts it—the record sees the group composing their most mature, expansive, and rewarding material to date. Packed with quirkily intricate yet welcoming instrumentation, as well as highly varied and compelling songwriting and vocal approaches, Space Force is a thrilling statement of purpose and validity from one of stoner/progressive metal’s greatest up-and-coming acts.

Of course, MOTHS are also motivated by their culture, and alongside standout acts like Avandra, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, Errant Society, and Parallel Dimension, they rank as one of the best Puerto Rican stoner/progressive metal groups. “It’s part of our DNA to put some Puerto Rican influences into our music. For example, the closing section of ‘Awake’ taps into Latin jazz,” Negrón reveals. In addition, he, Miranda, and González studied Popular Music at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico (and Rodríguez has the same major), so MOTHS are well versed in the “odd time signatures” present in Salsa, Bomba, and Plena (among other styles).

Naturally, that broad musical palette helped make Moths, and Moths/The Stone Eye Split incredibly illustrative. Plus, their distinctive sound and fortitude led to Moths getting spotlighted on Bandcamp Daily in 2018, as well as its second track—" Adhara & Ray”—being featured in Adult Swim’s “Stimulus Swim” playlist in 2020. As such, there’s already considerable hype for what Space Force will bring to the table, and luckily, it’s guaranteed to exceed all expectations.

From its gentle and cosmic guitar prelude (“Space Cowboy Ballad”) and fusion of ‘70s heavy metal and progressive death metal (“Broken Slumber”) to its hybrid of experimental space rock and jazz rock (“There’s No Place Like Space”), Space Force is an extremely diverse, engrossing, and poised voyage. Coupled with its equally mind-bending artwork, the LP surely finds MOTHS at the most imaginative and skillful stage of their career.

MOTHS Lineup:

Damaris Rodríguez – Vocals

Daniel Figueroa – Drums

Jonathan Miranda – Lead Guitar

Omar González – Rhythm Guitar

Weslie Negrón – Bass

MOTHS Drop Visualizer For Title Track "Space Force"

MOTHS Release Visualizer For Title Track "Space Force"

Debut LP Out August 12th - PRE-ORDER

MOTHS are proud to unveil the second single from their upcoming debut album. The Puerto Rican stoner/prog adventurers have released a visualizer for the LP's title track, "Space Force"! Fans can view the track visualizer below.

Speaking about the upcoming LP, the band shares:

“Space Force marks an evolutionary step in our music and everything we’ve created as a band up to this point. This album represents maturity both lyrically and musically, and with it, an esoteric journey for those who want to encounter challenging music. The title track 'Space Force' represents our most experimental and prog side, though there are still a lot of heavy, catchy riffs. This is probably the song that best captures the essence of the band."

'Space Force' is set for release on August 12th, 2022.

PRE-ORDER HERE

About MOTHS

Every band wants to strike a pristine balance between evoking their influences, embracing their originality, and earning their place within the genre(s) they inhabit. That’s often easier said than done, especially when it comes to styles that have developed so quickly and broadly over the past few decades. As stoner/progressive metal quintet MOTHS proves, however, it can certainly be done. Fusing charming familiarity with captivating freshness, their prior two releases—2018’s self-titled EP and 2020’s split with Philadelphia rockers The Stone Eye—demonstrated an exceptional ability and willingness to saturate shades of their musical forebearers with plenty of wide-ranging and idiosyncratic personality.

As remarkable as both of those collections were, though, they’re mere appetizers compared to what MOTHS have crafted with their debut LP, Space Force. A “complete audio-visual experience”—as bassist Weslie Negrón puts it—the record sees the group composing their most mature, expansive, and rewarding material to date. Packed with quirkily intricate yet welcoming instrumentation, as well as highly varied and compelling songwriting and vocal approaches, Space Force is a thrilling statement of purpose and validity from one of stoner/progressive metal’s greatest up-and-coming acts.

Of course, MOTHS are also motivated by their culture, and alongside standout acts like Avandra, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, Errant Society, and Parallel Dimension, they rank as one of the best Puerto Rican stoner/progressive metal groups. “It’s part of our DNA to put some Puerto Rican influences into our music. For example, the closing section of ‘Awake’ taps into Latin jazz,” Negrón reveals. In addition, he, Miranda, and González studied Popular Music at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico (and Rodríguez has the same major), so MOTHS are well versed in the “odd time signatures” present in Salsa, Bomba, and Plena (among other styles).

Naturally, that broad musical palette helped make Moths, and Moths/The Stone Eye Split incredibly illustrative. Plus, their distinctive sound and fortitude led to Moths getting spotlighted on Bandcamp Daily in 2018, as well as its second track—" Adhara & Ray”—being featured in Adult Swim’s “Stimulus Swim” playlist in 2020. As such, there’s already considerable hype for what Space Force will bring to the table, and luckily, it’s guaranteed to exceed all expectations.

From its gentle and cosmic guitar prelude (“Space Cowboy Ballad”) and fusion of ‘70s heavy metal and progressive death metal (“Broken Slumber”) to its hybrid of experimental space rock and jazz rock (“There’s No Place Like Space”), Space Force is an extremely diverse, engrossing, and poised voyage. Coupled with its equally mind-bending artwork, the LP surely finds MOTHS at the most imaginative and skillful stage of their career.

MOTHS Lineup:

Damaris Rodríguez – Vocals

Daniel Figueroa – Drums

Jonathan Miranda – Lead Guitar

Omar González – Rhythm Guitar

Weslie Negrón – Bass

MOTHS Release New Single "Unbound"

Puerto Rican prog/stoner rockers MOTHS have released the first single from their upcoming debut album. The new track, "Unbound", is out now - with a lyric video premiering now via Ghost Cult Magazine at the link here.

Speaking about the new track, bassist Weslie Negrón comments:

"'Unbound' was one of the first tracks we wrote for this album. It's a strong song that delves into both the atmospheric and heavy sounds of the band. Lyrically, it speaks about being done pretending, done with the world and its demands, and overcoming the pains that this life brings."

The debut album from MOTHS, 'Space Force', will see an August 12th, 2022 release.

Speaking about the upcoming LP, the band shares:

“Space Force marks an evolutionary step in our music and everything we’ve created as a band up to this point. This album represents maturity both lyrically and musically, and with it, an esoteric journey for those who want to encounter challenging music. ‘Unbound’ is the first take of this musical trip, a heavy, yet catchy song that pretty much sums up what Space Force is about.”

About MOTHS

Every band wants to strike a pristine balance between evoking their influences, embracing their originality, and earning their place within the genre(s) they inhabit. That’s often easier said than done, especially when it comes to styles that have developed so quickly and broadly over the past few decades. As stoner/progressive metal quintet MOTHS proves, however, it can certainly be done. Fusing charming familiarity with captivating freshness, their prior two releases—2018’s self-titled EP and 2020’s split with Philadelphia rockers The Stone Eye—demonstrated an exceptional ability and willingness to saturate shades of their musical forebearers with plenty of wide-ranging and idiosyncratic personality.

As remarkable as both of those collections were, though, they’re mere appetizers compared to what MOTHS have crafted with their debut LP, Space Force. A “complete audio-visual experience”—as bassist Weslie Negrón puts it—the record sees the group composing their most mature, expansive, and rewarding material to date. Packed with quirkily intricate yet welcoming instrumentation, as well as highly varied and compelling songwriting and vocal approaches, Space Force is a thrilling statement of purpose and validity from one of stoner/progressive metal’s greatest up-and-coming acts.

Of course, MOTHS are also motivated by their culture, and alongside standout acts like Avandra, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, Errant Society, and Parallel Dimension, they rank as one of the best Puerto Rican stoner/progressive metal groups. “It’s part of our DNA to put some Puerto Rican influences into our music. For example, the closing section of ‘Awake’ taps into Latin jazz,” Negrón reveals. In addition, he, Miranda, and González studied Popular Music at the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico (and Rodríguez has the same major), so MOTHS are well versed in the “odd time signatures” present in Salsa, Bomba, and Plena (among other styles).

Naturally, that broad musical palette helped make Moths, and Moths/The Stone Eye Split incredibly illustrative. Plus, their distinctive sound and fortitude led to Moths getting spotlighted on Bandcamp Daily in 2018, as well as its second track—" Adhara & Ray”—being featured in Adult Swim’s “Stimulus Swim” playlist in 2020. As such, there’s already considerable hype for what Space Force will bring to the table, and luckily, it’s guaranteed to exceed all expectations.

From its gentle and cosmic guitar prelude (“Space Cowboy Ballad”) and fusion of ‘70s heavy metal and progressive death metal (“Broken Slumber”) to its hybrid of experimental space rock and jazz rock (“There’s No Place Like Space”), Space Force is an extremely diverse, engrossing, and poised voyage. Coupled with its equally mind-bending artwork, the LP surely finds MOTHS at the most imaginative and skillful stage of their career.

MOTHS Lineup:

Damaris Rodríguez – Vocals

Daniel Figueroa – Drums

Jonathan Miranda – Lead Guitar

Omar González – Rhythm Guitar

Weslie Negrón – Bass