Finnish Energy Bomb Moon Shot Returns Home to Viersen
Friday, September 13 might be considered unlucky for some, but not for the visitors of Rockschicht in Viersen. They witnessed an evening of pure rock emotion brought by the Finnish rock band Moon Shot.
Rockschicht is a local music club offering live music and parties. It’s a simple venue, but it radiates atmosphere. There’s no separate backstage for artists, just behind the merchandise area where a black curtain provided some privacy. This was also the venue where Moon Shot had their first-ever performance in Germany and where they were eager to return. It was clear that Moon Shot fans came from the surrounding area, as the room was well-filled. A cozy venue, packed with people, and great live music; all the ingredients for an enjoyable evening were present.
The opening act was NiMa Lindner, aka Nina Maria Lindner, from the Ruhr area. She is a German singer-songwriter, guitarist, drummer, bandleader, composer… and much more! NiMa Lindner delivered powerful songs with deep emotions. Her experimental vocals have a distinct touch and at times resemble Skin from Skunk Anansie. The audience was divided in their enthusiasm, but they were definitely warmed up for the main act of the evening.
At quarter past ten, it was time for the Finnish rockers from Helsinki. Moon Shot, consisting of lead singer Ville Malja, bassist Henkka Seppälä, guitarist Jussi Ylikoski, and drummer Mikko Hakila, took the stage. They were also joined live by Jesse Kataja, who took his place on the small Rockschicht stage. The stage was simply decorated with a backdrop displaying the band’s name, but Moon Shot didn’t need anything more. The band’s entrance, accompanied by the distinctive electronic tones of ‘Confession,’ was initially calm and reserved. But once singer Ville appeared, wearing a black cape, all the energy was unleashed, and it was clear the band was excited and ready to rock!
Before the second song, ‘Agony Walk,’ Ville removed the cape and was dressed in a three-piece suit. Ville bounced around the small stage, and the chemistry between the band members was immediately visible. The enjoyment was palpable. After ‘Agony Walk,’ Ville addressed the audience, sharing that Moon Shot had their very first live performance at Rockschicht three years ago and their first club tour a year and a half ago. The show in Viersen felt like coming home. Despite feeling differently that morning—having left Helsinki at 5 AM under gloomy, rainy skies that felt apocalyptic—they now felt “at home”!
The next songs were from their new album, ‘The Power.’ Moon Shot started with ‘Shadow Boxer’ and followed with ‘Arms Around Me.’ The latter song deals with less pleasant childhoods and, like most of Moon Shot’s songs, is deep and impressive, yet always sincere and full of energy!
Before ‘Blood Looks Cool,’ Ville spoke about the facade often presented on social media. Everything looks perfect in photos, but often this is just an illusion. He emphasized the importance of the here and now, “living in the moment.” It was a song with a clear message, or as Ville put it, “Shit, we are from Finland and have only brilliant songs,” a statement the audience found amusing.
It was clear that Moon Shot, as the main act, took their time with the audience and also shared the background of their songs. In the intimate setting of Rockschicht, this created a special connection between the band and the audience, which was felt throughout the evening. This was also true for the song ‘Second Chance.’ Five years ago, the band members came together in the studio, a bit shy and tentative, not knowing what to expect from each other despite their extensive experience. The band members had previously been part of well-known bands such as Children of Bodom (bassist Henkka), Disco Ensemble (guitarist Jussi and drummer Mikko), and Lapko (singer Ville). It was in that studio in Finland that Moon Shot was formed and the foundation was laid for songs like ‘Second Chance,’ because not everyone gets a second chance in life, and every second chance should be seized!
As the performance neared its end, Ville’s energy, despite the early start, was still going strong, evidenced by his acrobatic stunts hanging from the stage rigging by one arm. It was clear that it was hot on stage for all the band members. Ville wore a towel over his head for the next song to catch some of the sweat. With ‘Kiss the Ghost,’ the band took a brief, quieter moment before letting all the brakes loose with the title track ‘The Power.’ ‘The Power,’ a song about inner strength, was accompanied by electronic beats mixed with hard rock. This style is characteristic of Moon Shot and was enhanced by a light show full of strobe lights. During the song, Ville took one of the audience’s phones and filmed himself. For this fan, it was a great memento of the charismatic and energetic band and singer. The interaction between the audience and the band was flawless. The audience enjoyed and swayed to everything Moon Shot delivered.
During ‘Marlboro Man,’ Ville dropped the microphone and, as if nothing had happened, continued singing while lying on the ground. Before leaving the stage for the encore, they performed ‘Big Bang,’ the song where it all started for the band. During the encore, there were three more songs from ‘The Power,’ each a powerful hit. They started with ‘Life is a Killer,’ a robust hard rock track with many melodies, given an extra dimension by Ville’s raspy voice. The most emotional moment of the evening followed with a story about a friend of the band who succumbed to cancer within three months. The song ‘Blackened Spiral’ was written for this, but the band initially hesitated to release it because it was too deep and sad. Ville had previously said in an interview for the album release: “Lyrically, Blackened Spiral is one of the most honest, raw, and painful lyrics I’ve ever written for Moon Shot. The song is for those who have lost someone they love. It’s dedicated to the beautiful memories that stay with us forever, no matter what.” This is exactly how the song resonated with the audience—remembering friends and family who are no longer with us, but whose memories remain and cannot be taken away.
The final song, ‘Yes!’, calls for stopping violence by working together. “We can take fingers away from triggers.” This was the finale of an evening of pure, emotional rock, but also with humor and, above all, a lot of energy. After leaving the stage, the band went directly to the merchandise stand to talk to fans and sell t-shirts themselves. This further emphasized the connection between the band and the audience. Ville had already cheekily announced, “We want all your money, Cash or Card.”
Moon Shot is a band definitely worth watching and listening to, both for fans of heavy rock from the 21st century and those who appreciate raw lyrics that touch the soul. Their German tour has just begun, and they will also be seen as a support act in Germany this autumn.
Photos (c) Daniël Frissen
