M.O.R.A. – Self-Titled
Dual angry female vocals spitting venom over suffocating doublebass-pedal breakdowns
Always excited for new hardcore bands from Finland, and M.O.R.A. delivers with their latest effort. The record’s cover art—a giant snake suffocating a mouse—is a fitting metaphor for what you’ll hear: two ferocious female vocalists spitting venom over crushing double-bass-pedal breakdowns.
Interestingly, the band features members of Black Betsy, but M.O.R.A. is undoubtedly the stronger project. Both vocalists are standouts, bringing variety and energy to the music that keeps it engaging from start to finish. The lyrics are entirely in Finnish, but the band was kind enough to include English translations with the record—points for effort, but the content was a bit underwhelming. While there’s nothing politically problematic (thankfully), the themes stick to tired hardcore tropes: betrayal, staying true to the scene, and so on. Boring!
Musically, M.O.R.A. stands tall with influences like Full Blown Chaos, Sworn Enemy, Death Threat, and Raised Fist. What sets them apart are the dual vocalists, whose interplay adds a certain dynamic to the aggressive, tightly produced sound. At just 16 minutes, the record doesn’t overstay its welcome, hitting the sweet spot for anyone in need of some good moshing.
