Gothenburg,
Sweden trio
Monolord is a rare breed. A band both encompassing and transcending genre; a
vortex of heavy rock density that consumes all others. Their thunderous,
tuneful heft has built a rabid international fanbase in short order since their
2014 debut. But Rust, the band’s third full length, truly exemplifies why some
refer to them as the Nirvana of doom.
Monolord’s enveloping, syrupy sludge is a vibe, it’s a state
of mind. Not riffs for riffs sake, but a collective buzzing, rattling and
rumbling that’s more total environment than collection of songs. Together,
guitarist/vocalist Thomas Jäger, drummer Esben Willems and bassist Mika Häkki
create a massive, dynamic sound with ultra-low frequencies serving as its
fourth member. “We've always been
inspired by great band musicians — as opposed to technical solo peacocks,” Willems
says. “Because that force of a band really playing together as one single unit
is incomparable. At its best, it's just unstoppable.” And, Monolord is truly
unstoppable, on record and on stage. “A heavy groove that contains both
bombastic overkill and a lot of dynamics is what we always aim for in Monolord;
in playing, in song writing and arranging, in recording,” Willems says.
Album opener “Where Death Meets the Sea” perfectly
exemplifies their mastery of dynamics and hooks with a driving, infectious
buzzsaw riff that lesser bands would ride off into the sunset, but Monolord
uses subtly to spur the song’s skull rattling rhythmic core ever onward.
Jäger’s watery vocals glide over ominously building verses that erupt with the
song’s insistent refrain. Being such a tight rhythmic unit, it sounds almost
like an early ZZ Top record played at half speed. “Dear Lucifer” squeals and
hums with slow deliberation as Willems summons Dale Crover pummel with chasm
like low-tuned toms and syncopated cymbal crashes. The album’s title track is
also its centerpiece, opening with a dramatic, shimmering Hammond organ intro as Jäger sings, “you are
the reason that I lied/ You are the reason that I cried/ Please don’t wait
until tomorrow/ There’s only pain, hate, grief and sorrow.” Suddenly, the band
kicks in with a downtuned open-B line that nosedives down the guitar neck as
the drums hammer down for the kill. Elsewhere, tastefully understated guitar
harmonies elevate the behemoth churn of “Wormland” and apocalyptic album closer
“At Niceae” simmers in a slow build of rumbling guitars and rolling drum
triplets.
Monolord formed in 2013, quickly recording their 2xLP debut
Empress Rising, which RidingEasy Records released in April 1st, 2014. The
second album, Vænir, followed April 28th, 2015. The 2-song Lord of Suffering /
Die in Haze EP was issued in late 2016 amid the band’s relentless touring
schedule in order to tide fans over until the next full length.
Noisey calls Monolord "universally beloved" and
"Swedish doom royalty”, while Consequence of Sound deems them, “a truly
modern sound: recognizably doom, but with glistening production values and
adventurous songcraft.” Vænir landed on countless Album of the Year lists in
2015, and Rust is poised to open an entirely new range of possibilities for
Monolord.
Rust will be available on LP, CD and download on September
29th, 2017 via RidingEasy Records.
Pre-Order goes live Monday, July 10th.
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