The Prophecy 23 Mosh O' Clock Review
The Prophecy 23
Mosh O’ Clock
Massacre Records
2025
I’m not sure what the first twenty-two prophecies were or what they entailed, but The Prophecy 23 is apparently the tale of a tongue-in-cheek party metal band with one mission: they want fun (copyright Andrew W.K.), to thrash hard, and to mosh with everything they’ve got, all while throwing a Project X–level rager on their seventh album, Mosh O’ Clock. Grab your favorite libations, illicit substances, bad decision-making skills, and let’s dive in.
The Prophecy 23 are a German quintet (first appearing in 2002) specializing in their own genre known as “fresh metal.” Their 2020 album of the same name even cracked the official German album charts at #67. So, you’re probably asking yourself, “What is fresh metal?” Fair question. If I had to nail it down, I’d call it a raucous, high-energy blend of hardcore, punk, thrash, funk, and death metal (at least vocally in several spots). This is a tight, crisp listen with just the right amount of raw edge. Mosh O’ Clock was recorded, co-produced, mixed, and mastered by Kai Stahlenberg at Kohlekeller Studios, home to albums from Powerwolf, Electric Callboy, Kanonenfieber, and more. The result is massive and polished, proving that while Prophecy 23 doesn’t take themselves too seriously, their songs are crafted with razor-sharp precision.
Musically, imagine Municipal Waste, Suicidal Tendencies, Hatebreed, and Slayer in an eight-man tag team match against 24-7 Spyz, E-Town Concrete, Madball, and early Stuck Mojo, and you’re in the ballpark. “Chill ’Em All” kicks things off with thick riffs, gang vocals, and chants about living your best stress-free life. The title track follows, celebrating inclusive pits with high-octane hardcore punk energy and breakdowns heavier than a tow truck full of Atlas stones. The melodic guitars and “whoah-oh-oh” singalong at the end seal the deal.
“Work Eat Sleep Repeat” rages with New York hardcore grit, fighting the daily grind with tasty leads and crowd-surfing intent. “Welcome to the Blastbeach” brings another gang-shouted anthem, layering death growls over screams and lyrics about the perfect escape, capped with a clean guitar interlude that closes the track beautifully. “Fresh Metal Fights Fascism” is exactly what the title promises: a blazing one-minute-and-twenty-three-second chugger against hate, even leaning into rap-like nu-metal triplets and double-kick barrages.
“Forever 23” is a thrash masterclass with guest appearances from former members and some Blood for Blood–style “whoahs” clashing against Offspring-like riffs. My personal favorite. “Ready to Get Wasted Again” stomps through a mud-thick hardcore/thrash groove about hangovers and doing it all again. “I Feel Black” hits the darkest note here, channeling mental health struggles against a Bay Area–flavored backdrop. “Good Enough for Me,” “23/7,” and “No Money Back” keep the freshness rolling with chunky riffs, comedic bite, and big singalong shouts. “I Won’t Go” leans into breakdown-heavy hardcore life-on-the-road vibes, while “Supermassive Green Hole” closes things out with chaos, destruction, and some left-of-center experimentation. Admirable, though I think it might’ve worked better placed mid-album.
Mosh O’ Clock blasts through its thirteen tracks in just about thirty-seven minutes. At its core, it’s humorous, exuberant, and uplifting - a wild, FUN listen that mashes together multiple corners of metal and its neighboring genres. Throw on your best tuxedo t-shirt, open up the pit, and let these purveyors of partying show you how it’s done. I’m reminded of the line in The Breakfast Club where Claire tells Bender, “Brian isn’t interested in going to any of your heavy metal vomit parties.” But I bet Brian would haul ass to one if The Prophecy 23 were hosting it. I know I would.
~TB