Exclusive Interview: Moon Reaper talk writing and recording “Descent”!

From their inception in 2018 to the release of their debut EP “Descent” a couple of weeks back, Bristol trio Moon Reaper have been at the coal face, creating spine crushing Metal that moves through sub-genres like a Juggernaut changing gears on the highway to hell, blending elements of Doom, Post, Progressive, Black and Sludge metal into one Chemistry experiment of explosive results. We had the pleasure of chatting to guitarist and vocalist Morgan Cradick about the band as they enter the next chapter of their existence…

You released single “Torture Chamber” back in 2019 and followed it up with “Spiralism” in 2020. What did you learn from your studio time for those that you put into the rest of the EP? “How nice of a person and how skilled of a producer Kray Mundy of Liquid State is. Artistically though, how to work space within our music to cultivate an atmosphere to send shivers through your electrons”

You’re pictured in promo shots with what looks like an 8 string guitar, something you wouldn’t normally associate with the Blackened Doom genre. How did you get into playing with more strings and what do you think it brings to your sound that you wouldn’t otherwise have been able to get with a 6 string? “I bought a seven string when I was 16, and have since been upgrading it to a level where I’m comfortable and confident using it, it brings the opportunity of a MEATY groove laden tone exclusive to those thicker and lower strings while maintaining the opportunity very high lead/passages of the higher strings (as they do not need to be downtuned proportionally as with other 6 string drop tunings). The 7 string guitar is a beast you must harness and ride with caution, she’ll tear your tendons if you’re not careful. as for 8 strings; the trade for an extra string for less manoeuvrability did not seem worthwhile, having played 8 strings before, it did not seem worthwhile. Moreover, the 8th string itself loses some melodic clarity due to its anatomy, and that’s what the bass is for ;)”

How does the writing process of a new Moon Reaper track start? Melody, riff or rhythm first? “Riffs baby. The riff is the bread and butter of a Moon Reaper track. Vocals from that point, then drums, bass and lead lines”

For us gear nerds out there, can you tell us what you’re using gear wise (pedals, strings, drums etc) to get your sound?  “Guitar wise: Daddario and Ernie Ball 64-11 gauge NYXLs, Boss ME70 multi FX, Ibanez tube screamer, Schecter guitars, orange & victory kraken amps and a cheeky Seymour Duncan custom Nazgul 7 pickup, Bass: ernie ball 165-40 gauge, Warwick corvette 5 string and a BH500, Drums: Mapex drums and hardware, sabian cymbals and Vic Firth sticks”

If you could have a guest join you for a future recording, who would you like to work with and why? “Brady or Dan of Conjurer, we may not love all the same bands but we all worship that band.”

What difference would it make to you as a band if you could land an endorsement from a gear manufacturer? “Promotionally, a large one, we’d love an endorsement from Schecter or perhaps from Daddario or Ernie Ball”