Johnny Booth – Moments Elsewhere [Things You Might Have Missed 2023]

The phrase “metalcore” strikes fear in the hearts of the most hardened metal fans.¹ Breakdowns and faux badassery collide in the most listenable shit this side of the pond. New York DIY metalcore abusers in Johnny Booth know this. While yes, there are breakdowns, one-liners, and enough technical wankery to make a Converge fan drool, every element is weaponized to the full extent to accomplish an unhinged and vicious quality (“loud and ouchy” in the words of inimitable Dolphin Whisperer) that recalls acts like Knocked Loose, Sworn In, and Frontierer – without committing to either cumbersome down-tempo hardcore or headache-inducing mathcore. Encapsulating just enough reprieve from the devastating pummel, through a tasteful sprinkling of jazzy keys, skronky electronics, and subdued cleans, third full-length Moments Elsewhere’s weight is through its expertly dynamic writing.

Contrary to the squeaky-clean stereotype of modern metalcore, Johnny Booth embraces weight and filth through its self-released aesthetic. Guided by Andrew Herman’s desperate fry vocals and soothed by his croons, the true stars of Moments Elsewhere are guitarists Adam Halpern and Ryan Strong and their impressive repertoire. While rooted in the chunky chug-happy metalcore template, nearly every moment feels like it might fly off the rails or is enhanced by impressive dynamic songwriting. In perhaps the best example this dynamic, “Only By Name” starts off with a rather unassuming and harmless wonky Dillinger-esque riff that guides the proceedings before cascading into a devastating riff that slides like a semi-truck on ice. Even the cleanly sung tracks like “Why Becomes How” and interlude “The Mirror” inject their respectively subdued approaches with both scathing melody and vocal harmonies or earworms and enough heft to move the album along. More balanced tracks like “Collapse in the Key of Fireworks” and “The Ladder” are tasteful in their fusions of melody, skonk, and catchy choruses. Bassist Steve DiModugno contributes technical fills and noodles to “Bright Future” and a jazzy runs in “The Mirror,” and drummer Adam Ingoglia is a rock-solid anchor throughout, constructing intricate rhythms while derailing them across the board.

This dynamic allows tracks to gather enough for the punishing storm, and breakdowns are realized to their fullest potential and never overstay their welcome. In easy highlight “Full Tilt” an opening distorted cheery sample and a later passage of a trip-hop beat offer respite, only to tread the path of Loathe with an absolutely stellar buildup and utterly satisfying closing breakdown.² “Why Becomes How” is immediately followed up by the no-holds-barred hardcore-infused “Ring Light Altar” and the somehow heavier “Gatekeeper”³ and the unhinged “No Comply” whose morphing math-inflected riffs add a jolt of viciousness. Closer “Modern Dialogue” features a tasteful range of guitar tricks that align perfectly with the percussion, adding grueling punishment and dynamic across the board.

What makes Moments Elsewhere is its nearly untouchable range of tracks – only the mathy Risecore caricature “Bright Future” is a bit of a weak link in its lack of tangible weight. Don’t let the “metalcore” tag scare you: Johnny Booth offers some of the most punishing tracks of the year. Amplified by a smart inclusion of dynamics and homage to influences that avoid mimicry, it somehow feels heavier than could possibly offered when the atmospheric passages implode into skull-crushing weight. Contending with 2023’s heavy hitters Sylosis, MouthBreather, and The Acacia Strain is no easy feat, and they do so on their own terms in a handcrafted album with a unique sound – one of 2023’s best.

Tracks to Check Out: “Full Tilt,” “Only By Name,” “No Comply,” and “Modern Dialogue”