The Devil has had his arm slung around Moros Eros for some time. He’s pulled them in tight and whispered darkness and torment in their ear. But now — in an effort to flip the script on the Evil One, showing no sympathy at all — Moros Eros wants to expose him by being the Devil’s best advocate. I Saw the Devil Last Night and Now the Sun Shines Bright was released on Halloween, and beyond being a solid debut record, what’s so impressive is the songwriting of East LA native Zach Tipton? He deftly blends the mythologically terrifying with the prophetically hopeful to create lyrics that are both warnings and crafty calls to celebrate kicking the devil’s ass after staring him straight in the eye. There are also hidden moments that trick you into double checking your own personal theology via an infectious pop tune or complex caveat to the underworld only to be flung back into the sunshine.
The group makes excellent use of the exorcising melodies of the Mars Volta and anchors the songs on Tipton’s banshee-pop vocals coming from tortured depths. The Georgia quartet shows mature chops utilizing every last inspiring aforementioned tool — and a few contemporary others — to reach deeper than imitation and from top to bottom as the title suggests the album shines. The brightest moment is the album’s final chapter “Satan Has a Heart of Gold”. In two and half minutes it comprises the best of Moros Eros; lyrics that simultaneously inspire to search for more satisfying solution while creating a theological and parental conundrum that debunks logic. “Momma says Satan has a heart of gold / Papa says Jesus has a heart of stone / Satan says I got a heart of gold / Everyone says I got a heart stone / But Satan says I got a heart of gold / I know the truth…I know the truth…” The rhythm begins with a whisper than screams to a finish just begging to be repeated long after Tipton and company come roaring up the basement stairs leaving you in their wake. Burying this treasure is one of the only down sides but as the story concludes the track becomes a perfectly placed final line.