Moon Fever’s debut album, “Forever Sleep,” is a straight-up rock record that doesn’t try to be anything it’s not. The Seattle-based band—Triston Bracht (vocals), Mitch Micoley (guitar), Dave Orton (bass), and Troy Wageman (drums)—leans into big riffs, solid hooks, and a no-frills approach that makes for an easy, satisfying listen. The album drops on February 14th.
The album kicks off with “Getting Loud,” a track that sets the tone with driving guitars and a chorus built for live shows. It has to be with a song title like that, right? One of the standout songs is “Live Fast Die Young,” where the chorus hits hard and feels built for crowd singalongs. Two amazing tracks are “Make It Look Easy” and “Vain.” They both show off riffs that bring a classic rock grit. My all-time favorite track, though, is “I’m Gone.” It’s raw, riffy, and in-your-face. The musicianship seems tight across the board, and there’s confidence in how they play together on each track.
Produced by Jim Kaufman (Helmet, Everclear), the record sounds tight but doesn’t polish away the grit. Micoley’s guitar work stands out, shifting between thick, chugging riffs and well-placed melodic moments, while the drums and bass keep everything grounded and punchy. Bracht’s vocals bring the right mix of power and rock-n-roll attitude, particularly in songs like “Feels So Good” and “TV Skin.”
That said, one noticeable gap in the album is the absence of a slower or ballad-type track. While the energy stays high throughout, a moment or two of contrast could have added some depth and made the heavier moments hit even harder.
Moon Fever has spent time on the road with bands like Godsmack and Buckcherry, and you can hear that experience in how these songs are built for a live setting. Forever Sleep isn’t reinventing rock, but I doubt it’s trying to. This is a solid debut that delivers exactly what it promises—straight-ahead rock with no filler. If you’re into big choruses, heavy guitars, and a sound that pulls from both classic and modern influences, this one’s worth a listen.
