Moon Shot’s inception in 2019 raised a lot of eyebrows among the rock community. Consisting of former members of Disco Ensemble, Lapko and Children of Bodom, the band is ready to hit bigger stages with sophomore album "The Power".

"True 21^st century rock’n’roll" is a fitting label for Moon Shot. Ever since their debut album Confession came out in 2021, the band has been greeted enthusiastically by rock fans everywhere.

Guitarist Jussi Ylikoski began writing for the new album The Power before Confession was out.

“We had to postpone the release of Confession because of covid-19, and I was in writing mode. Couple of key tracks on the new album are from those early sessions but the whole process took a much longer period of time,” Ylikoski says.

The writing process of Moon Shot is in the hands of Ylikoski and singer Ville Malja. Ylikoski writes the music and Malja writes lyrics, bouncing ideas back and forth. Bassist Henkka Seppälä and drummer Mikko Hakila come in later when the songs have structure and form.

The Power was produced by Ylikoski with Julius “Juppu” Mauranen and vocal producer David Bottrill, as was Confession.

“This time we tried to use our resources a bit more efficiently. We tracked the drums at E-Studio in Sipoo but then we worked at Juppu’s Studio Kekkonen and I did a lot of tracking at my own studio too.”

David Bottrill is a Grammy-awarded producer whose previous work includes Tool, Stone Sour and King Crimson, to name a few. Ville Malja had worked with him on the final Lapko album Freedom (2015).

“Apparently David really liked Ville’s distinctive sound, so it was only natural to work with him with Moon Shot as well. Luckily he really liked our music too.”

When something resonates

Jussi Ylikoski and Mikko Hakila made a notable career with Disco Ensemble, finishing with a remarkable streak of nine sold out farewell shows at the legendary Tavastia club in Helsinki back in 2018. Once the dust settled, Ylikoski felt a familiar itch.

“I asked Mikko if he would be willing to put a new band together. It was just the two of us for some time but then I called Ville and he was very much into it”, Ylikoski recalls.

Yet the band needed a bass player. Children of Bodom was ending their long career, so Henkka Seppälä was available. But would he be up for this kind of music after 20 years of death metal?

It’s a result of years of experience and cultivation of this craft. I keep chasing that feeling, when a chord progression or a melody or a sound resonates and inspires – Jussi Ylikoski

“We sent Henkka some demos and he liked them. I remember when we hung out in my backyard, the four of us, and we realised that now we have a band together.”

Moon Shot’s music is uplifting and catchy but there’s a lot more to it than simple-minded feel-good rock. Ylikoski says there’s a certain feeling he’s after.

“It’s a result of years of experience and cultivation of this craft. I keep chasing that feeling, when a chord progression or a melody or a sound resonates and inspires. Ville then continues to add layers, creating punchlines and slogans with his charismatic sound.”

Touring is essential

The recent single releases "Yes!", "Blackened Spiral" and "The Power" have received heavy airplay in Germany and created anticipation for the album. Why not, since Confession was already an impressive piece of work and everyone in the band has years of experience.

The first album was funded by the band themselves since there was no label yet. The Power is released by Reaper Entertainment.

Our mentality is to go out there and find the people who are into this kind of music. All signals so far have been nothing but positive – Jussi Ylikoski

Manager Urs Middelhauve has been a key player finding opportunities for Moon Shot. This summer the band is playing at Summer Breeze festival in Germany.

Ylikoski looks forward to proper touring for The Power, as the reception has been very promising everywhere so far. The touring landscape may be rougher than it used to be but Moon Shot knows a lot more about it than most.

“Our mentality is to go out there and find the people who are into this kind of music. All signals so far have been nothing but positive. We are very grateful for Music Finland’s support without which touring would be a lot harder.”