Ritwik Shivam (Aarlon) holds the reigns of the Mumbai-based electronic rock and prog metal phenomenon Friends From Moon. Inspired by the sci-fi aesthetics of Blade Runner or Dune, this new three-track EP finds middle ground between retro 80’s, 90’s nostalgia, and futuristic cyberpunk dance noise.
Each song features vocals by a guest – opener “The Circle Completes” starring the lush trip-hop melodies of Aaina Padiath interpolated tastefully throughout a KMFDM industrial slowburn. It has the club energy of Moby or Zero7 with dark undertones alike How to Destroy Angels, and I fucking love it.
A slightly shift in tone, Pranay Gupta reminisces on turn-of-the-century alternative metal vibes for “Castaway,” bringing Linkin Park and Filter aggression. Alongside the buzzy riffs and beats are infectious strings and synth lines, provoking the funk of French electronic duo Justice. Bit-crush blips rain down like video game vaporwave as Aarlon bandmate Pritam Goswami Adhikary brings a Devin Townsend-like presence to “The Waiting Time.” This is certainly the most modern prog moment on the EP, but could appeal to the likes of Depeche Mode goth kids to King Crimson nerds.