Saturday 13 September 2014

Monomyth - Further (Album Review)


Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: September 22nd 2014
Label: Suburban Records

'Further' CD/LP track listing:

1). Ark M
2). Spheres
3). Collision
4). 6EQUJ5

Bio

MONOMYTH, unleashed from The Netherlands, is the journey . . . the five who explore and expand the boundaries of their own musical universe. Firmly rooted in Space, Trance and Krautrock, the band leans heavily on a solid foundation of drums and bass guitar, while adding guitar, keyboards and textures layer upon layer. MONOMYTH will drag you inside their cosmic playground. Enter an arena where there is no more time or space, simply the vacuum in which communication is operated on a higher level. You can enter in two ways . . . simply by closing your eyes and letting the instrumental music transport you, or with eyes wide open as you descend into the mind staggering light show.

Members

Bass Guitar: Selwyn Slop (Incense, The Polar Exploration Ship, Lucid)
Drums: Sander Evers (35007, Gomer Pyle)
Keyboards: Peter van der Meer (The Incredible Stacks, The Polar Exploration Ship)
Guitars: Thomas van den Reydt (Alkaloid)
Synthesizers: Tjerk Stoop

Review:

Monomyth return with their new album 'Further'. Almost 12 months since they released their acclaimed debut S/T album. Monomyth style of music combines Stoner Rock, Post-Rock, Kraut-Rock, Space Rock and hints of Drone Music for one captivating trippy spaced out ride.

'Further' is more of a continuation of the journey told on their celebrated debut album. As it features more of the same spaced out trippy goodness that will appeal to all Space/Kraut Rock fans. Further is a more chilled out affair to it's predecessor but it still has huge volumes of Stoner Rock vibes to unleash on an unsuspecting audience.

First track 'Ark M' sees Monomyth in Post-Rock territory for the earlier part of the song before adding vast layers of different noises and riffs to unsettle you with. The album makes you feel apart of the entire Monomyth experience as it instantly draws you in with dreamlike trance based noises that owes a slight nod to 60's/70's heavy psychedelic rock. It's a track that grows with each passing second. When Monomyth finally decide to unleash the heavy riffs it becomes a more emotional and thrilling ride.

Elements of Drone and Ambient noises appear from time to time to give you an out of body experience that can only be described as – EUPHORIC!!!

'Further' contains 4 tracks with 3 of them running from 11 minutes to a mind-expanding 18 minutes. If you don't like the epic psychedelic jams of 'Ark M' then you better turn away as Monomyth don't change course for the duration of the album. They actually add more elements of different noises as time goes by. Monomyth is made up of musicians who bring their own style and authority to the spaced out party.

Second Track 'Spheres' is a 13 minute thrill ride that starts with an ambient chill out post-rock mood before dangerous Stoner riffs gatecrashes the party and turns into an epic battle of moods and sounds. This is one of the albums standout tracks as it shows how creative Monomyth actually are. It takes 'Further' into a nightmarish territory as the mood goes very bleak indeed. If you're a fan of Monster Magnet classic 'TAB' then this track will blow your mind over and over again. It's a powerful hypnotic journey into space and beyond.

Third Track 'Collision' is a more straight-forward psychedelic rock tune from Monomyth as it's only on a short 6 minutes or so. Though the guys manage to include some of the albums weirdest sounding noises to delight and confuse. It's feels more of a jamming session between friends than an album track. It's more evidence to prove what great musicians the guys are.

Monomyth leave the best to last with '6EQUJ5'. An epic 18 minute track where Monomyth throw caution to the wind and unleash some of their strangest and strongest riffs to date. It may start off very slowly but that's always part of Monomyth's game plan. Start off with a soothing slow-paced riff before adding different layers of noises and space-rock energy.

'Further' is another outstanding album from one of Holland's premier Instrumental Space/Stoner Rock Bands. Maybe it's time for Monomyth to start touring the globe as the world is ready for their spaced out riffs. This is a must-have album.

Thanks to Monomyth and Bart at Suburban Records for sending me a promo to review. 'Further' will be available to buy from Suburban Records from 22nd Sept 2014.

Check the Band from Links Below


Written by Steve Howe