MORAL PANIC REVIEWS

...REVIEWS !!

MORAL PANIC

s/t + Validation LP

ENGLISH

RAZORCAKE.ORG #132 (USA) Jan 2023 Well-drafted snotty punk that—particularly on songs like “The Rail” and “Anti Anti Anti”—leans way hard on the DEAD BOYS. Maybe even more than the music, this guy just sounds like a dead ringer STIV BATORS. Plenty of oomph here from folks who have been around a while. So yeah, think of a revved up but slightly less dynamic Young, Loud, and Snotty and you’re getting close. Might rely a little too heavily on guitar solos, but that’s a personal preference. Beautiful marbled aqua vinyl; it’s clear that a lot of care went into this thing. Nicely done! (KR)

fasterandlouderblog.blogspot.com (USA) Oct 2022 Who's ready to get pummeled senseless? Moral Panic is here to hit you in the mouth forcefully and repeatedly! On its third album, Validation, the New York–based trio leaves low fidelity behind, tearing through nine cuts of hard, fast, and blistering punk rock that's too rock and roll to be hardcore yet too intense to just be rock and roll. Singer/guitarist Daniel Kelley has found his hottest rhythm section yet in Michael Dimmitt and Eric Robel. As a trio, Moral Panic is a machine built to obliterate anything in its path. The "bigger" sound of this release really suits the hard-hitting songs (none of which exceed two and a half minutes). Kelley's vocals are nothing short of furious, and his guitar leads are pure fire. When it comes to this style of raging and aggressive punk rock, you just won't hear it executed better. Both prior Moral Panic albums are well worth your time and attention, but the group is firing on a whole ever level with Validation. Get it now from Alien Snatch and Reptilian Records! (Josh Rutlegde)

greennoiserecords.com (US) Oct 2022 Moral Panic back at it and hitting it like a hammer, fast as fuck and moving out, hammering down like a speed demon with his head roaring with a mouthful of high octane siphoned from some kind of Detroit beast machine built from hard core and punk garage rock n roll, punching it out like white lines on the blacktop, high contrast clarity blurred to oblivion, punk rock 'n roll 1-2-3-4-go.(mw)

metaltrenches.com (US) SEP 2022 When it comes to punk and rock ‘n roll, I still find simple to work best. Quick and punchy songs that get their hooks under your skin in those first fifteen to twenty seconds and don’t overstay their welcome often work better than those that try to drag things out with repetition, and it’s this approach that immediately drew me to Moral Panic’s latest album Validation. The New York City based trio crams nine roaring tracks of garage rock and punk into a concise seventeen minutes that deliver foot stomping hooks and raw intensity in equal capacity. Compared to their earlier releases the energy level has shot up significantly and the sound is bigger and in your face than before, making this a strong showing from a band worth paying attention to. Described as too rock ‘n roll for punk and too punk for rock ‘n roll, that combination works to Moral Panic’s advantage and gives them a sound that’s familiar while still feeling fresh. For anyone that’s listened to plenty of garage rock or punk over the decades specific bands are sure to come to mind, but it’s delivered here with hook after hook that regularly hops across those genre lines and never falls too closely to any one group’s template. Sometimes the trio settles into a bouncier toe tapping rhythm that is pure garage rock, power pop, and everything in between, while the sheer speed of “Hatchet” will have listeners wanting to start an impromptu mosh pit wherever they are. When Moral Panic speeds things up to blistering levels on tracks like that they remind me a bit of the raw intensity of bands like Zeke and manage to pull it off with ease. Compared to their 2017 self-titled effort the lo-fi sound has been stripped away in favor of a huge, booming sound that washes over the listener and emphasizes guitar, bass, and drums in equal capacity. But it isn’t just the changes in production that help to elevate Validation, as Moral Panic has written songs that are consistently strong from beginning to end. Faster paced punk and garage rock have a tendency to run together due to their stripped-down simplicity and speed, and while there are similar moments at times the amount of riffs that stand out upon repeat listens makes a difference here. Daniel Kelley’s vocals have a rougher edge to them, touching a bit more upon the punk side of the spectrum with a direct and in your face approach. Sometimes when the instrumental side of a band gets louder and noisier on record the singing gets swallowed up in the mix and struggles to break through, but everything is well balanced on Validation and this never becomes an issue. Songs like the title track add in some back-up singing that feels somewhere between punk gang vocals and power pop, adding in a slight hint of melody alongside the grittiness. Add in a few well-placed samples at the end of “The Rail”, “Hatchet”, and “Quarantine” and you have material that hits hard but still has specific sections that stand out. By letting both their rock and punk sides run wild, Moral Panic has put together an album filled with high energy hooks that stick with you but don’t overstay their welcome. The fact that even after repeated spins a lot of these tracks haven’t blurred together and specific riffs and verses remain with me is a testament to the band’s ability, and while they tread familiar ground they do it extremely well. There are a ton of artists in these genres vying for your attention, but this trio deserves it. Validation is available from Reptilian Records and Alien Snatch! Records. (CD)

newnoisemagazine.com (US) SEP 2022 Hot on the heels of their “White Knuckles” 7" from earlier this year, NYC punk n rollers, Moral Panic, unleash another slab of high octane rock, that will shred faces. In fact, this new album, continues down the path laid down by that incredible 7", as they continue to put the metal to pedal, delivering another killer batch of punk rock songs, that don’t let up, until it ends. While, the album, might only have nine (one being an “Intro”), songs that barely reach beyond two-and-a-half minute mark, it works to their advantage. It’s just one exciting, short, sharp shock of a song, after the other. It gets in, shreds your face off, and then gets out, before you know, what hit you. But, like the best punk rock, it will make you want to listen to it again and again. Group founder, Daniel Kelley is in fine form as his sneering vocals drip attitude, while he is a demon on the six string, unleashing shredtastic solo after solo, on each and every song. Like the rest of the album, these solos are short, to the point, and will melt your face. The rhythm section of bassist Michael Dimmitt and drummer, Eric Robel, who debuted on the “White Knuckles” 7", give the bottom end a bit more muscle and heft, allowing these songs to swing and hit hard. Taken together the three of them form, one powerful trio. After a brief “Intro” to start, the title track kicks in, riding a wave of feedback and breakneck speed, capped off with a ripping solo from Kelley. “The Rail” goes a bit faster and shorter, and sounds like hyperspeed rock n roll. Of course, Kelley puts in another fantastic solo towards its end. “Hatchet’ opens with a grinding, noisy bass line, before the rest of the band joins in, and then, its on. They also throw in a ripping cover of “Anti Anti Anti”, originally done by OG Phoenix punks, The Consumers, that just burns. The album ends, with the fast, and catchy, strains of “Horton Hears The Who”. Validation is one killer slab of punk rock. It’s got everything you could want from a punk record: attitude, speed and hooks. In fact, I’ll go out out on a limb and say it’s one of the best punk records released this year. I know, some of you, might say, “But, it’s too rock n roll”. Well, get over it. This is one crucial slab of punk, you need to hear. So, get with it, and get this album!

greennoiserecords.com (US) March 2020 sparks flying as this Brooklyn outfit jumps from the gate and blasts through this set, screaming from the garage and running at it like a maniac in a road race, middle american punk from the beginning fueling the engine, tuned up with the fury of hardcore, garage punk rock and roll fast as fuck, toes to the radiator from go to whoa, running it down like a young punk itching to break free from all the bullshit, piss and vinegar and a bottle of white lightning, pissed off at the party and whips the bottle on a live wire, lit on benzedrine and splits the scene, gotta get out of town and don't care what gets in the way. I don't care what the landlord or the neighbors say, gonna blast this one from the rafters all night. (mw)

MRR (US) AUG 2019 "Goddamn, this thing is delivered with a sense of urgency that I find infectious. Imagine bands like the RIP OFFS and TEENGENERATE. Everything about this is intense: the pace, the vocals, the lyrics, the guitar, the drums, the bass...I said “everything,” didn’t I? Did I stutter? I can’t wait to get my own copy. Excellent. (KK)

RAZORCAKE #112 (US) SEP 2019 Let this standas a testament to those who´ve thought their corker of a debut was a fluke: it wasn´t. Ten more tracks of high-octane punk with lineage hearkening back both to Modwest hardcore and L.A.-via Arizona legends the CONSUMERS all saturated in pummel and wail, grime and groove.Nineteen minutes later you´re left dazed´n´wondering just what ran over you and hoping it'll pass this way again to do the same. (JA)

Big Takeover #85 (USA) Sep 2019 Where has all the punk rock gone? Well, if you’re seeking more than the typical mutual admiration society jerk-off that has become punk these days, look no further. Brooklyn’s MP don’t adhere to stylistic cues, don’t pander to their audience, and they don’t care what you think of them. What they do is play 10 songs in under 20 minutes with lightning speed, balance “tight” and “loose” like the best of any Killed by Death band, and do it better than your friend’s boring hardcore outfit that played five times in the past month. What do they sound like? Cleveland’s Pagans at 45. There’s no posturing, no begging you to thing they’re cool, no BS. You get these songs and you like ’em or you don’t. Now f off. (JR)

fasterandlouderblog.blogspot.com (USA) May 2019 ALIEN SNATCH! Records just keeps on killing it! Out now on the legendary German label is the second self-titled album from Moral Panic. It follows up the band's 2017 debut on Slovenly Recordings, and I must say that this Brooklyn trio sounds even better the second time around! Formed out of the ashes of the absolutely terrific Livids, Moral Panic plays scorching garage punk smashing head-on into late '70s Midwestern punk rock (the band even covers "Not Now, No Way" by the almighty Pagans!). What's not to love about that?! The label makes a Carbonas comparison, and I will not argue with that at all. Hot damn, is this album ever a face-melter! In just 19 minutes, it delivers 10 blistering tracks chock full of pissed-off vocals, red-hot guitar leads, and legit catchy tunes. And Jeff Burke's magic touch with mixing and mastering sure doesn't hurt. If you're into fast and furious punk with hooks, this is about as good as it gets! (Josh Rutlegde)

yellowgreenred.com (USA) Sep 2019 Second full-length album from Brooklyn’s Moral Panic, and just like the first, it’s self-titled. They’ve apparently got better things to do than name their albums, and considering the crisp, hardcore-influenced garage-punk they’re doling out, I suppose I can’t complain. Much like their debut, I’m reminded of Video, as well as Career Suicide and Carbonas, maybe a little Dead Boys too, but there’s no confusing Moral Panic with a band that existed decades ago. They’re tight and to the point, and while they may lack the bite or individual edge one might associate with a group released by Total Punk or Feel It, Moral Panic run through their set with confidence and skill. The only thing I’m waiting for is some distinguishable aspect to Moral Panic’s songs, of which there currently really isn’t, but perhaps distinction is not their goal so much as tough, workmanlike garage-punk. To their credit, the song “Flower Violence” has a chorus of “so sick of this flower violence / just want some power violence”, which may be the first instance of a garage-punk band celebrating Man Is The Bastard and Crossed Out in song. It’s a start! (JC)

GERMAN

OX #165 DEC 2022 Was wird aus dem guten, alten Vollgas-Rock, wenn in ein paar Jahren alles elektrisch fährt? Wer wird solche Metaphern dann noch verstehen? Kein Reifenquietschen mehr, kein V8-Geboller, keine kreischenden Motoren, kein Gaspedal mehr – nur noch leises Tesla-Surren, nur noch Langeweile? Wer wird Begriffe wie „high octane rock“ noch verstehen? Nun, bis zur Weltherrschaft des Elon Musk ist es noch etwas hin, hoffe ich, und bis dahin sollen beispielsweise MORAL PANIC aus NYC noch dem guten alten Bleifuß-Rock’n’Roll huldigen können, denn noch sind die Klebefinger der Klimaaktivisten nicht auf die Idee gekommen, sich das vermeintlich schändliche Treiben dieser Herren mal vorzunehmen. „Anti anti anti“ (ein Cover von THE CONSUMERS) könnte jedenfalls eine Antwort hierauf sein, wobei das direkt folgende „Outta gas“ das nahende Ende schon zu ahnen scheint. Acht Songs auf 45 rpm missachten jedes Tempolimit und erinnern mich diesmal an jene Band, die schon früh die Zeichen der Zeit in Sachen Mobilität erkannt zu haben scheint: ELECTRIC FRANKENSTEIN. Daniel Kelley (voc, gt), Eric Robel (dr) und Michael Dimmitt (bs) sind mit „Validation“ nach einer 7“ Anfang 2022 und nach den beiden titellosen Platten von 2017 und 2019 nunmehr bei Album Nummer drei angekommen. Wem die geschätzt zwanzig Minuten Spielzeit zu kurz sind, der soll zur Strafe Progrock hören müssen bis ans Lebensende. Das hier sind spitze, scharfe Punkrock-Attacken, Musik wie ein Tritt in ein Wespennest. JH 8/10

sonicthreat.blogspot.com (GER) SEP 2022 Tübingen stinkt nach Palmer. Zwischen Big Neck, Slovenly und Alien Snatch passiert gerade eine Menge Gutes und gerade Moral Panic, die sich mit ihrem 3ten Longplayer nun wirklich in mein Herz geschlichen haben, atmen den Geist der frühen Memphis-Riege. Versiffte Nihilisten, die, wenn sie zu den Instrumenten greifen, exakt diesen Abfuck zu einem großen, schmackhaften Pampf zusammenrühren. Klingt einfach, ist es aber nicht und gerade diese Energie, die z.B. auch den Mistreaters und Küken eigen ist, von Platte auf die Bühne zu zaubern, ist solchen Bands von Stunde Null ab in die Wiege gelegt. Es muss im Schuhkarton klingen wie durch die Kopfhörer. Ich bin mir sicher, dass das hier der Fall ist. Spitze!

manierenversagen.de (GER) SEP 2022 Album Nummer 3 der 3 Garage Hardcore Punk Rocker von Moral Panic aus New York. In den Hochhäuserschluchten der verschmutztesten Stadt Nordamerikas atmet man andere Luft und das macht sich auf Validation bemerkbar. Gesund klingt das nicht, das ist dreckiger Garage Hardcore wie ihn auch P.R.O.B.L.E.M.S. zu ihren besten Zeiten gespielt haben. Wenn man bei den Jungs im Proberaum ne Packung Kippen raucht, ist das direkt ein Luftkurort. Erscheint bei Alien Snatch Records und von den LPs gibts weniger als 150 Stück, weil die andere Hälfte bei den Reptilien Leuten in den USA herumliegen. Passt ganz wunderbar zu Wurst, Bier und Marlboro, wenn man über 40 Jahre ist. Generation Z muss vapen und Energykram aus Dosen trinken, ist halt nicht so RocknRoll, aber was weiß ich schon.

OX #145 August 2019 Titellos war bereits das 2017er Debütalbum der in Brooklyn, NY ansässigen Band, die damals auf Slovenly veröffentlichte und jetzt zu Alien Snatch gewechselt ist mit diesem aufs Wesentliche reduzierten Punkrock-Snack: Die zehn Songs auf 45 rpm sind nach knapp zwanzig Minuten durch. Ähnlich egal wie das mit dem fehlenden Titel dürfte der Band sein, dass es schon andere mit diesem Namen gibt, der freilich so perfekt passt, dass man diese Wiederholung verzeiht. MORAL PANIC klingen für mich schon vom Namen her wie das, was geboten wird: Snotty Punkrock mit auch mal gniedeliger Gitarre, angepisstem Gesang und mächtig Drive. PAGANS (deren „Not now no way“ wird hier gecovert), DEAD BOYS, DICTATORS und Co. wurden wiederholt in diesem Kontext bemüht, die Wiederholung macht den Vergleich nicht lahmer oder unzutreffender. Zeitlose Musik, nicht nur für Traditionalisten. JH 8/10

FRENCH

666revolutionsparminute.blogspot.com (FRA) DEC 2022 Allez, on se détend. Enfin, façon de parler : Validation est le troisième album des New-Yorkais MORAL PANIC, le groupe du guitariste/chanteur Daniel Kelley que l’on connait également pour avoir fait partie des fantastiques Livids aux côtés du grand Eric Davidson. C’est également le premier avec la paire rythmique composée de Michael Dimmitt (basse) et Eric Robel (batterie, ex-Heroin Sheiks !) et le trio ne craint personne en matière de punk-rock joué pied au plancher – les labels Reptilian records (US) et Alien Snatch (Europe) ne s’y sont d’ailleurs pas trompés puisqu’ils ont sorti conjointement le disque, de chaque côté de l’Atlantique. Passé une très courte intro puis un premier titre au mid-temp soutenu et ravageur, Validation enquille les pépites et les bombes à fragmentation avec une facilité et une frénésie déconcertantes. Riffs accrocheurs as fuck, chant nerveux et sans fioritures, gros son qui n’oublie pas de tâcher, lignes de basse dantesques, urgence et intensité à tous les étages, aucun titre au dessus de la limite réglementaire des 2’30 : absolument tout participe à un album aussi court et furieux que génial et indispensable, un album qui monte inexorablement en puissance pour s’achever sur un Horton Hears The Who qui reprend presque tel quel – et ça c’est très malin de la part du groupe – le canevas de l’intro du disque. Conclusion : on ne peut pas s’empêcher de remettre immédiatement Validation sur la platine pour une énième dose de punk-rock acharné et rageusement jubilatoire (HA)

Dig It ! (FRANCE) Aug 2019 Attention MORAL PANIC déboule à 200 à l'heure ! Fast powerpunk à la CARBONAS avec de légères touches de hardcore et des morceaux qui me rappellent les Dirtys ("Gear Guy"), voire les NEW BOMB TURKS ou les CANDY SNATCHERS... Une belle cover du "Not Now No Way" des PAGANS en prime..(GC)

Voix de Garage (FRA) AUG 2019 Ce jeune groupe new yorkais perpétue une tradition locale du fast Punk cracra et quand même mélodique. Voici leur 2ème album (le 1er était chez Slovenly Rds). 10 chansons qui déboulent à pleine vitesse et ne durent pas longtemps (leur distance c’est 1’30 / 1’45), ça va vite et fort mais ça reste mélodieux ! Punk 77 stylee / Pop Punk / Power Pop ultra vitaminée !!! Des références ? Oui mais à quoi bon ! DU BONHEUR et c’est tout ! Direct et pas prise de tête. Mais parfaitement maîtrisé ! Pile en pleine gueule ! (GS)

SPANISH

pupilodilatado.blogspot.com (ES) Nov 2022 MORAL PANIC "VALIDATION" (2022), URGENCIA GARAGE PUNK DESDE LA GRAN MANZANA!!! Giro de 180º en estilo, aunque no en intensidad y mala baba. De Nueva Jersey nos vamos al corazón más sucio del Lower East Side de la NY City para dar a conocer a unos cafres en esto del garage street punk más obstinado y peleón. Hoy se pasan por aquí el cuarteto MORAL PANIC, un furioso combo formado por gente que ha militado en bandas como Livids, New Bomb Turks o The Nils. Pues bien, estos fichas tienen su segundo disco bien calentito y esperando ser devorado por todos aquellos amantes del punk más visceral y contestatario. Ponte en modo: ANTI, ANTI, ANTI!!!!!....Auspiciados bajo el sello Alien Snatch Records, los Moral Panic tienen en su Validation (2022) su reválida como banda tras su Debut Album de título homónimo en 2017... ¡¡¡Y qué reválida!!!, este disco es incendiario, ardiente, ¡¡¡te quema en los putos oídos!!!. La mejor esencia del old school street punk del '77 más visceral y cabreado teniendo en mente a los Dead Boys, Ramones y Stooges, pero con un extra de speed en algunas canciones en donde se podría apreciar las aristas de The Exploited y Zeke. No puedo destacar un tema sobre otro, ¡los nueve cortes van a cuchillo!, pero es muy de agradecer lo bien producido que está sin quitarle ni un ápice de suciedad y jodido peligro en un disco de street punk de estas características. Bueno, ¡que sí! que mis temas favoritos podrían ser fácilmente "Quarantine" y "Anti Anti Anti". Sangrantes, explosivos, crudísimos, ¡¡¡así son los putos MORAL PANIC!!!...

1minutodegloriazine.com (ES) SEP 2019 Alien Snatch ha pillado una buena racha. Primero el segundo LP de Moral Panic, mezclado por Jeff Burke (el calladito de Radioactivity y Marked Men). Los chicos estos son de Brooklyn, con varios ex-miembros de los Livids (donde cantaba Eric de los New Bomb Turks). En este disco aprietan el acelerador y le meten más melodía, sonando a cosas como Kidnappers o Mandates en su buena época. La versión de los Pagans se la podrían haber ahorrado, por suerte Art School no es una versión de los Jam

ITALIAN

rumoremag.com (ITA) Dec 2022 A proposito di New Bomb Turks, cade a fagiolo il trio di Brooklyn che rispetto agli album precedenti alza l’asticella e dà una prova plastica di cosa significa suonare col fuoco dentro. Riff taglia gola con assoli fulminei, sezione ritmica indemoniata, la voce di Daniel Kelley che vomita melodie allo spasimo. Il tutto incartato da una produzione grossa ma mai eccessiva per 20 minuti di superbo gunk punk (MG)