Moral Rot – why can nothing ever just be nice (Review)

Moral Rot don’t waste time and neither should you. Their debut EP Why Can Nothing Ever Just Be Nice is a 10-minute punch in the face. Featuring members from No Shelter, Eremit and Toadeater, this trio formed in late 2024 and came out of the gate swinging with five absolutely ripping tracks. Out July 26 via Santa Diabla.

The EP starts in full attack mode: gnarly guitar feedback, blastbeats from hell, and vocals that sound like someone tearing their throat apart in a crusty basement. The HM-2 chainsaw tone fits perfectly with the raw, pissed-off energy, and the whole thing oozes power violence, hardcore, and metallic rage. Breakdowns? Yes, and they hit hard especially the one on the self-titled track. Moshers, be warned.

But there’s more than just aggression here. Songs like “Change Your Life” show Moral Rot‘s punk roots and chaotic spirit, while still keeping things violently tight. It might even be my personal favorite. The angry atmosphere feels completely over the top.

What makes this EP stand out is how organic it all sounds. The production is raw and nothing feels overdone or to over the top. It’s fast, angry, and leaves no room to breathe. Just pure frustration turned into riffs and blastbeats. You can feel the hatred towards the state of the world bleeding out of every second.

Moral Rot blend Swedish crust and metal with 90s hardcore mosh and a good dose of punk attitude. It’s ugly, it’s loud, and it fits our current messed up times a little too well. This is only the beginning for Moral Rot but damn, Why Can Nothing Ever Just Be Nice is already one hell of a debut. Let’s hope there’s more to come. Watch out.