Silent Monolith - Empty Kingdom

After one EP and two singles Nashville's Silent Monolith finally unleash their first full-length and I couldn't be more excited. I have followed this band for years and they've been so close to taking the next step several times. But each time life has thrown some pretty wicked curve balls halting that process each time. But finally Silent Monolith fought back and the outcome, 'Empty Kingdom' is absolutely stunning.

 

Main man Kenneth Johnson - KJ - vocals, guitar and keyboards has a new lineup with Logan Greeson and Zach Ransom on bass guitar and drums respectively having joined the fold. Only Logan plays on the album however with Dan Douchette playing all the drums. Former members Nate Davenport, bass guitar, and Shania Blake, guitar, appears as well, as does Garrett Ward and Matt Curtis playing some guitar solos. Compared to the previous excellent output Silent Monolith has grown and personally I wouldn’t want it any other way. Their trademark sound is still present, stoner rock in the vein of Fu Manchu, but wider turns are taken and it works fantastically well. And the lyrical content isn't restricted to weed and party et al, instead focus is put on personal thoughts and personal struggles. That in combination with the expanded music is what makes 'Empty Kingdom' such a great album.

 

‘Terrible Day Of The Lord’ starts off the proceedings and it definitely sets the tone immediately. Musically it is slow-paced, heavy as hell and very effectful, as well as being foreboding, a trait which runs through the whole album. KJ’s fuzzed out voice is reciting Zephaniah 1:14-18 as the lord’s vengeance on the sinners and the ignorant is upon us. The trippy, spaced out yet fierce music really adds to the doomsday feel and it’s brilliant! This leads into ‘Burn’ which is Silent Monolith of old. In your face, sharp riffs and pulverizing rhythms, it is the logical continuation of ‘Terrible Day Of The Lord’. After all, since the former speak of impending doom, this is it in full force and it couldn’t be more poignant as the band sings…”ignorance begets violence”. Spot on! The title track follows and it’s a skullcrusher if there ever was one. Not superfast but more blindingly heavy and the riffs are killer. It’s about politicians and how every word the utter is a lie, yet people soak it up while living in an empty kingdom. Listen to the bass guitar and the keyboards which set up ‘The Sin-Eater’ perfectly. And it reflects Silent Monolith’s growth wonderfully. All of a sudden the song explodes only to drop back again. Exposing how so many terrible people never get to face the consequences of their horrible ways while thriving on it, and they seem to always get away with it.

 

A brilliant solo initiates ‘A Million Miles Away’ with breathtaking riffs hot on the heels. And I love how the interaction between the verses and solos make the song stand out. Add the lyrics to the equation, which deals with the horrors many immigrants face in their homelands to actually go on the run trying to make it to another country not knowing what will happen there either, and you have one of my favourites on this album.’All The Same’ brings to mind early-days Whitesnake being bluesy, harmonious and full of Jon Lord-esque keyboards. Another growth song for the band as KJ is singing better than ever…oh and that solo, man! Silent Monolith bring forth how the horrible political climate in the US where people are lead to believe one side is better than the other, when in fact they are extremely similar, and how this can drive you insane. Next up is the instrumental ‘Qui Decipitur’. Here, we’re given bonecrushing and neckbreaking stoner rock of the highest order. In reference to the title there’s nothing deceptive here, only in-yer-face brilliant music.‘Empty Kingdom’ ends with ‘Lost Hope’, a mid-tempo song which gradually builds up while going for the jugular. It’s about those people who never take responsibility for their actions but are extremely quick to point the mistakes of others. However, karma will get them in the end.

The long wait for Silent Monolith’s first full-length has been so worthwhile. ‘Empty Kingdom’ is a breath of fresh air within stoner rock with the added 70’s sounding blues-rock keyboards and the different lyrical stance. Instead of the usual smoke and party til you drop lyrics, Silent Monolith focus on the horrible political climate in the US. They don’t take sides with any party instead they bring forth how extremely similar the competing parties are AND how corrupted they are. The mission of screwing up the country while having its citizens bickering and fighting each other over who’s right and best, is in full swing and they are pretty successful at it too. Don’t know if this will sit right with people but personally I think it’s great the band is speaking out. And with music as great as this, it’s an album of fantastic proportions!

 

-Swedebeast