Phototroph
Phototroph makes a good case for progressive rock that gets straight to the song. Moon Tooth fill these tracks with unusual rhythms and busy guitar parts, but the choruses are easy to hold on to. There is plenty of heavy playing, yet the overall mood is bright and energetic. The band sound interested in getting people involved, even when the arrangements take a strange turn.
John Carbone is central to that approach. His voice can be rough, soulful or almost theatrical, sometimes within the same song. It gives the album a personality that a more standard metal delivery would struggle to match. Nick Lee's guitar work is just as active. He moves between compact riffs and colourful leads, while the bass and drums keep the shifting rhythms under control.
Deathwish Blues shows how well the pieces fit. Its forceful guitars support a vocal hook with clear rock radio appeal, without making the song feel too safe. Alpha Howl draws more from a bluesy groove. The I That Never Dies goes further into the darker, more complicated side of the band, giving the album a welcome change in mood. These songs have different shapes, but they still belong together.
Carry Me Home is another strong meeting point between melody and detailed playing. Carbone gives the chorus real feeling, and the guitar has enough space to do more than follow the vocal line. The closing title track keeps the energy up and adds a flash of classic metal to the band's broader rock sound. The album finishes with confidence rather than slowly running out of ideas.
The main reservations are about intensity. Carbone pushes hard enough that his voice may take some getting used to, and the tightly packed production leaves less breathing room than the performances sometimes need. A little more space around the rhythm section would help the details stand apart.
Even so, Phototroph succeeds at something that can be difficult: making skilled, complicated music feel welcoming. The hooks have a clear purpose, the playing serves them, and the songs are strong enough to work without any explanation of their technical parts. Moon Tooth offer a lot to explore, with a friendly route into it.
