Moby 'returns to punk roots'

Moby has revealed that he is revisiting his punk roots by forming new band Diamondsnake.

The artist admitted that before becoming famous for his trademark ambient music, he was involved with the "suburban hardcore" scene, and now wanted to make an album of his early style.

"Starting this metal band, the few people who have noticed, they're confused," he told the Los Angeles Times.

"I love making my own records, but the way I make my own records is sort of ascetic and monastic. I have a little studio, I go in there by myself, it's a very solipsistic process. It never gets loud.

"So I love going into a crummy rehearsal studio with a bunch of friends and being loud. That was the nascence of Diamondsnake."

The band released their 13-track album for free on the Diamondsnake website last month.

Moby added that the response from music fans has not gone as well as expected.

"We've gotten some attention from the heavy metal community, and they hate us more than I ever thought was possible," he said.