Moon Letters – “The Dark Earth” | Progressive Rock Central.com

My favorite Seattle progressive rock band, Moon Letters, has returned from the studio to release their new album, The Dark Earth. The album will be released on June 13^th, independently. This album packs in some marvelous stories and sounds, in its over 43 minutes of music.

Moon Letters, during 2023-24, were invited to both the Terra Incognita Fest in Quebec City, ProgDay Fest in North Carolina, and Prog on the Ranch in Florida. This year they tour Europe! The reputation and following of this band continues to grow. We in Seattle know they are great, but soon, so will the rest of the world.

The band, and I think Michael Trew, charts their growth in this way: “Whereas the first album was steeped in myth, and the second was full of growing pains and great strides, I like to think of this as the deep album. It’s been a really supportive process amongst us, and I find myself still surprised by the music at times. Within are stories of mental illness, fantasy, loneliness of the road, mismatched love, and the hopes of inner redemption. Thanks for taking this journey with us”. They go on to say, “Fans will once again be treated to blazing riffs, synth-phonic wizardry, and bombastic rhythms balanced with deep grooves and emotional slow burns designed to soothe the wounded psyche. The lyrics ride these changes, battling personal and collective monsters on the hero’s journey toward transformation. To face the void, fall apart, and find healing after loss. Join us in This Dark Earth…”

The band is made up of members: Dave Webb, who plays guitars and percussion; Michael Trew, who sings lead vocals, and plays flute and congas; Kelly Mynes, plays drums ; Mike Murphy, plays bass and sings backing vocals; and John Allday, plays keyboards, sings backing vocals and plays trumpet.

Moon Letters is a psych/prog rock band, formed in Seattle, USA in 2016. Their debut album, Until They Feel the Sun, was produced with renowned producer Barrett Jones (Foo Fighters), garnered positive reviews internationally. The album was released at the Seaprog Festival in 2019, and immediately placed Moon Letters in the vanguard of the new wave of American progressive rock. Their second album, Thank You From the Future, produced in Seattle by Robert Cheek (Band of Horses), was released in late 2022 and has been embraced by prog fans and reviewers.

And with a “rat a tat tat” drumroll, the third, full length album from Moon Letters is off to a start. It opens with the song, “Energy of the Heart”. This song is full of great rhythmic bass, electric lead guitar and foremost the keyboards of John Allday. One of the best progressive rock keyboardist in the Seattle area. Michael’s vocals are up to their usual early Phil Collins sound, as he sings, “It’s too powerful to touch, I promised never to give up. Heavy weather gathers. On the mountain’s shoulder. Ravoness flies over. The deceiver, giver of a vision. Promises of life for the Valkyrie Ravoness has spoken. See what you want, alone I will awaken a summer of song. Let my face feel the sun”. Yeah, I hear you. It can be difficult in the Pacific Northwest during winter’s cloudy times. You can even hear a dog bark in the background, a cute bonus, for those that catch it. With those cool keys, John Allday, near the end of the song; takes us back to “Trick of the Tail” and “Wind and Wuthering”. A great place to go. And one that I found was a continuing theme throughout, This Dark Earth.

“Silver Dream”, has that usual electric guitar and drum salute Moon Letters is well known for playing on their albums. (It has become a kind of signature sound). Then, after some bass rhythm, Michael sings, “Feel the cold inside the heat. Feel the flowers start to breathe”. Ah yes, springtime has arrived in the Northwest and it is one of the most beautiful seasons here, beside fall. Michael continues, “The wind is blowing through this hollow tide”. They interject that signature, cool electric guitar reverb again that sounds so good. Then Michael sings, “I must be alone. He said, as time froze”. Like a present reference, to a wonderful memory you had of Trick of the Tail or Wind and Wuthering, Then, some of Michael’s best vocals so far, “Here at the Hellsway borderland. (noises from a pub – like atmosphere fill the soundscape). “In the shadow of a whispered kind of fear. Find the familiar in your smile. As the candles weep. The moonlight creeps into your weary eyes. Stare into the fire. And inside her mind, in another world. Like two mad eyes, where three once were. Where you once were”. Then, the band elevates the sound even further with powerful guitar playing, drums and then, John Allday’s Tony Banks – like keyboard inspirations. His keyboards are fantastic! But he adds trumpet, just to put this run over the fence. Fantastic! They return to Michael closing this masterpiece, “Here again, lost on a cold wind. Visions calling, a silver dream I’ve seen you, see me”. Over 6 minutes of supreme splendor!

If, “Island of Magic Mirrors”, doesn’t take you back to “Trick of the Tail”, nothing ever will. This close to 6 minute overture, is picture of a moment, caught in endless time. Michael sings, “Innocence is in a trance, in the wilderness. Neon and the city steam, burn an Icarus. We are nothing more than creatures. Creatures of the night. I can feel the beating drum of the frightened heart. I can taste the bitter wine of your wounded hunt”. Anyone for “Squonk”, yeah, I’m in. Then, “We are nothing more than creatures. Creatures in your mind. Now my Chimera dead-ends again. Your eyes, alive inside. In a shock and woken up. From a vision bright”. Ready for a trip back to “Los Endos”? That drum and keyboard romp in the middle, with its march cadence might take you there. It did me. Michael sings, “This sub terrane is channeling an old man’s superstition. Part of you knows it, and another side longs for rain. This sibling tower, elevate and reach into space. My wings are melting. As I see your face”. And yes, and this old man remembers lines like, “And the lava’s the lover who licks your boots away!” And, “And by the way he stood up, and vanished into air!” Thanks for taking back to those memories…

“Lonely Moon”, is a wonderful acoustic guitar instrumental. This one took me immediately back to the Tea Party’s “The Badger”, off The Edges of Twilight, or even “Winter Solstice”, off Splendor Solis. (Great songs to cover in an acoustic show, by the way). A little over 2 minute acoustic guitar solo that sounds like it could be turned into a rhapsody or symphony. Thank you. Hopefully there will be more of this in the future. John Allday’s warm backing keyboard, accentuates the soundscape.

“In the Catacombs”, took me right back to the closing songs of Trick of the Tail, with sounds and images similar to “Los Endos” and “Dance on a Volcano”. Much appreciated. This is Michael Trew’s vocal showcase. He even screams. (I think for the first time on a ML album). And those intricate keyboard sounds from Allday will amaze, like Wakeman. He even adds some piano as well. Michael sings, “Flight into the dark. Woods down there. Do you dare the dangers within? The path is overgrown, with fears. I’ve known. To be left alone. Dreams take shape and reach into the day. Into games we play. In the catacombs your voice goes echoing on. In the Autumn, the sweet wine of. The first fruits are trampled by the fierce desire to survive your loss. Can’t show weakness, now I see it. See two burning embers, there is no surrender. For the scared pretender. Fantasy is much to real, to be real. To a man so frozen, sweat runs in my eyes. Terrible surprise I am part of you. I won’t let this tear into you. If I could make it disappear. But I can’t make it disappear… Cool night air, headlights glare. Visions blur away now. Back to life, you’re not there. In the catacombs your voice goes echoing on”. Like a trip to Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, through the Hoh Rain Forest at night. That may have been his inspiration. It inspires me, to that kind of a story, for sure.

A cool, almost ancient electric guitar riff. Like something Steve Hackett might have imagined, but didn’t write yet, opens the massive closer “Dawn of the Winterbird”. This band knows how to write a closer. Some of them have been my songs of the year. This one is in the running, for sure. Then, congas, and an almost Caribbean beat; new for this band, but absolutely perfect and an awesome addition to their sound. This is a three part opus, which begins with “I Am Not Afraid”. Michael sings, “I am not afraid here in the pines. Do anything to get outside of me. Please stop the rain. That always finds a way inside”. Yep, they are definitely a Washington band. Michael continues, “Here, snow is on the sin. I can feel the wind. I will carry you sleeping. Fear, that keeps me absent. To write my story, it keeps me alone. The morning, bright and cold. It burns me so, but it makes me whole”.

Then, they provide a fantastic instrumental experience with electric guitar, keyboards, inspired bass and drums.

The second part of this opus “Laughing Stream”, opens with soft sounds of water and warm electric guitar, bass and piano. Michael returns with some of his best vocals, “I walked right inside a painting. Feel the cruel wind of Hades. I can’t even try to count them. There must be a secret fountain. I can’t understand, feelings that I planned. “Caus I’d rather be with you. Over a laughing stream. Is it another dream? Falling asleep beside the tv again…” Like some of Winwood’s vocal sounds from early Traffic. Thanks Michael. Then, more of those warm keyboards and Hackett-like electric guitar playing.

Part three, the finale, or “The Portal”, opens with a “Los Endos”, fire on high, ending to “Laughing Stream”. Then, gentle flute, soft drums, regal keyboards and a “Court of the Crimson King”, feeling to this epic closer. Then, it’s all Michael Trew; set to soft electric guitar and piano, “I feel your eyes on me. Feel the light that cuts through me. Turns me to ashes, of somebody laughing. And when my roses are barren in the winter. You will see through me”. A short piano prelude welcomes the coming finale. Catapulting electric guitar, drums, bass and keyboards, hurl the soundscape into accelerating bedlam. Michael sings, “I want to disappear, inside your song with you. This window won’t last for long. I can feel it. And when the night’s falling, there in your town. Nobody knows you, and nothing can touch you”. Excellent electric guitar and keyboards rock to a continuous “Los Endos” like finish. Michael returns, “Oh, give me a way to feel. That anything could be free. Burning my eyes to see”. More powerful Bank’s – like keyboards from Allday. Then, Michael finishes it off with cool vocals, “Don’t let them take your mind. I need you here beside me. Don’t let them close your eyes. I need you to see mine. Don’t let them steal your horn. All of my life returns. Cold is the lake I feel”. When Michael sings “Don’t let them steal your horn”; all I can visualize at this point is Phil singing, “They’ve got no horns and they’ve got no tail”. Over 17 minutes of plush progressive rock sound, guaranteed to make those UK fans hearts melt, when they hear this on tour!

Moon Letters’ The Dark Earth, is just the kind of album this band needed, to launch their first tour internationally. The progressive rock fans of the UK and abroad, will hear the memories I have mentioned above…because…well how couldn’t they? Moon Letters’ musicianship takes another giant leap forward for Moonkind! With no retreat in sight. Take this one to the bank. I’m sure they will, once more people hear this spectacular masterpiece. Everything in this masterpiece is worth hearing and listening to; and repeatedly. There are enough hooks to snare a school of fish. Thank goodness, someone out there in the pine forests of prog, is still making music about stories with imagination. Stories of nature, and the surreal. Moon Letters, thank you for this wonderful journey. “May the road around the world, rise to meet yah!”

Album Track List:

Energy of the Heart (6:28)
Silver Dream (6:38)
Island of Magic Mirrors (5:58)
Lonely Moon (2:10)
In the Catacombs (4:32)
Dawn of the Winterbird (17:18)
- 1. I Am Not Afraid
- 2. Laughing Stream
- 3. The Portal

Discography:

This Dark Earth (2025), “In the Catacombs? (Single 2025), Thank You From the Future (2022), “Mother River” (Single 2022), and Until They Feel the Sun (2019).

Credits:

Michael Trew Photos: Jonathan Botkin, Danette Davis, Peter Hanson, Moon Letters Cover Art/Layout: Moon Letters

Moon Letters The Dark Earth Tour:

6/13 – Substation Seattle – Album Release show! w/ Julie Slick & Kitsune

(Seaprog Presents! night before Cascadence Fest!)

6/15 – Portland, OR – High Water Mark w/ WAVICLE & Wonderstump

7/11 – Lyon, France – Over Eighteen Motors

7/12 – Frejus, France – Monster’S Art w/ Talvienkeli

7/15 – Prague, CZ / Chapeau Rouge w/ Tengri & The New Horizons

7/16 – Hradec Kralove, CZ – AC Klub

7/19 – Lidkoping, Sweden – ArtRock Festival

w/ Quantum, Infringement, Sol Fragment