Max Moon presents The Grand Howl

 

Tucked within the rugged landscape of Northern Ontario, Canada, Max Moon has been steadily carving out his own distinctive place within rap music, and his debut record is a testament to this. The Grand Howl, a reference to the collective noise of human emotion, is a blend of dusty, moody production, and free, contemplative rhyme schemes, with field recorded poetry and harmonic vocal segues. Max Moon may have previously been best known as a rapper/producer with horrorcore trio Magick Show, but his solo effort veers madly off in alternate directions. Max Moon assumes most of the album’s production duties, save contributions from Juno-nominated MPC wizard Fresh Kils (“Little Do They Know”) and acclaimed Ukraine rapper/producer Smuff Tha Quiz (“Rendezvous”). And only impactful features appear on The Grand Howl, with Max Moon enlisting the prolific duo ShrapKnel (PremRock & Curly Castro, Backwoodz Studioz) for the stream-of-consciousness barrage of “DEAD END$” and friend, label-mate, and Toronto fire-spitter Ultra Magnus for the boom-trap anthem “Scrawlings”, The end result is an album that is ultimately true to this MC.

Written and performed by Max Moon and guests

Produced by Max Moon and guests

[new video] Max Moon - "Scrawlings" featuring Ultra Magnus

Max Moon drops the video for "Scrawlings" featuring Ultra Magnus, the second single from his upcoming album, The Grand Howl. 

Max Moon continues to do it on his own terms with “Scrawlings”, the second single from his upcoming debut record, The Grand Howl, out September 26, 2025 on Hand’Solo Records. The self-produced song pushes into new territory with trap and bongo drums and crackly vinyl loops. It is a blazing lyrical barrage although Max still hits introspective notes and touches on down and out themes, while featured fellow Hand’Solo compatriot Ultra Magnus enters like a cannonball with the dynamic energy he’s become known for. “Scrawlings” is a barstool banger and a synthesis of two unforgettable characters in the Canadian rap landscape. 

The new visuals for “Scrawlings” include scenes of Max Moon rapping in his natural habitat: the back streets and trails of the Nickel City. The great time Moon and videographer Johnny Bizness had cruising around the city shooting this thing is apparent in the video. Unfortunately, Ultra Magnus couldn’t make the shoot but his presence is undeniable as soon as you hear his voice over the beat. We hope you enjoy this exploration of the Great Sudbury area!

Written and performed by Max Moon and Ultra Magnus

Produced by Max Moon

Video by Johnny Bizness for Gritty Nickel Media

And if you're interested in checking out The Grand Howl ahead of the official release of the album on September 26, 2025, you can hit up the Bandcamp Listening Party on September 21 at 7:00 PM EST.

Max Moon - "DEAD END$" featuring ShrapKnel

 

 

Canadian rap artist Max Moon delivers another fresh and captivating take with “DEAD END$”, the third single from his upcoming debut record, The Grand Howl, out September 26, 2025 on Hand’Solo Records. For this raw and moody self-produced joint, Moon taps in Philly/New York duo ShrapKnel, made up of Curly Castro and PremRock. On billy woods’ vanguard label Backwoodz Studioz, ShrapKnel has become venerated for their distinctive approach to lyricism and unorthodox production choices. The team-up is an instant fit. The result is an alluring, driving, stream-of-consciousness cypher, intersecting human relationships, culture and perception. The beat shifts from dark boom bap to loose, distorted breaks, and a blitz of drum and bass flavour supports Castro’s ever-unique, blazing delivery. 

The single is accompanied by an esoteric reconstruction of the song with a bold remix by electronic experimentalist Emilio Portal, a past Max Moon collaborator. “DEAD END$” also receives the visual treatment with an animated lyric video incorporating stop-motion by Max Moon himself.

Written and performed by Max Moon, PremRock, and Curly Castro

Produced by Max Moon 

Art by Apdtum

Max Moon - "Scrawlings" featuring Ultra Magnus

 

Max Moon continues to do it on his own terms with “Scrawlings”, the second single from his upcoming debut record, The Grand Howl, out August 2025 on Hand’Solo Records. The self-produced song pushes into new territory with trap and bongo drums and crackly vinyl loops. It is a blazing lyrical barrage although Max still hits introspective notes and touches on down and out themes, while featured fellow Hand’Solo compatriot Ultra Magnus enters like a cannonball with the dynamic energy he’s become known for. “Scrawlings” is a barstool banger and a synthesis of two unforgettable characters in the Canadian rap landscape. The single also includes a self-produced remix that is a complete switch of vibe with eerie violins and big beat boom-snap drums.

Written and performed by Max Moon and Ultra Magnus

Produced by Max Moon 

Art by Apdtum

Max Moon - "Little Do They Know"

 

For the first single off his debut solo album, Nickel City MC Max Moon teams up with Toronto MPC & production heavyweight Fresh Kils, one of only two guest producers on his mostly self-produced The Grand Howl. On “Little Do They Know”, Max barrages the listener with reflective art rhymes across a warped canvas of gitched-out jazz-rap. He expresses a pride in modesty and a focus on the essential’s of life, or as describes it: “Don’t need much, a hand to hold, some skin to touch”. He also asserts his individual and singular approach to the genre. “Little Do They Know” is bound to leave heads spinning as Max Moon shows the world that he does things in a way all his own.

Written and performed by Max Moon

Produced by Fresh Kils

Art by Apdtum

Magick Show brings the horrorcore on Samhain

 

 

The sophomore EP from Magick Show expands the founding duo of Mickey O’Brien and Max Moon into a trio with the addition of new member and long time friend Johnny Bizness. Released to coincide with Halloween, the Nickel City supergroup titled the release Samhain (pronounced sow-in) after the Gaelic festival that marks the end of harvest season and the beginning of the darker half of the year. It’s also the the origin of our favourite spooky holiday. Samhain is also now a 6-song EP of eerie vocal samples and neck-snapping beats provided by Max, Johnny, and Magick Show’s favourite Canadian producer and certified legend, Fresh Kils. The lyrics take you deep into the minds of the trio as they take out their aggressions on the mic with murderous raps about the occult, supernatural phenomenon, and the darker parts of life. The vinyl release of the EP includes the instrumentals and a pull out poster that doubles as a lyric sheet and Ouija board. 

Written and performed by Mickey O'Brien, Max Moon, and Johnny Bizness 

Produced by Max Moon, Johnny Bizness, and Fresh Kils 

Cuts by Uncle Fester

Magick Show - Morning Star

 

For the second single from Magick Show’s sophomore EP, the Nickel City supergroup delve deeper into their explorations of the dark arts with this ode to witches and warlocks. Produced by Max Moon, the beat is dominated by ominous organ notes and plodding drums on which original members Mickey O'Brien and Max Moon each drop a verse while new member Johnny Bizness is relegated the rookie role of cursing the soul with a catchy chorus. Welcome the Morning Star into your life with the wordplay wizardry of Magick Show.

Written and performed by Mickey O'Brien, Max Moon, and Johnny Bizness 

Produced by Max Moon

Mastered by Dorc

Magick Show create a "Massacre" with their return

 

“Massacre” is the first single from Magick Show’s long-awaited second EP, Samhain, scheduled for release just in time for Halloween. This single not only signals the return of the Nickel City horrorcore super group, but also introduces to the fold new member Johnny Bizness, who produces this uptempo, sample-heavy funk beat on which the trio of MCs—Mickey O’Brien, Max Moon, and Johnny B—trade bars in a bloody orgy of horror-inflected punchlines and murderous metaphors. A minimal vocal hook is given heft by machete sharp cuts from DJ Uncle Fester. The result is a bouncy boom bap track bound to get the heads nodding and the monsters mashing on the dance floor.

Written and performed by Mickey O'Brien, Max Moon, and Johnny Bizness 

Produced by Johnny Bizness 

Cuts by Uncle Fester 

Mastered by Dorc