ALBUM REVIEW: Monolord – Your Time To Shine

Swedish Doom Metal mob MONOLORD are back with their 5th album, set for release via Relapse Records on October 29th.

A storm of fuzzy riffs pummel into action alongside cymbal crashes, with an intense beginning that hits without warning. Those fearsome rhythmic beatings are complemented by some soaring leads before the whole thing dissipates into this emotionally-charged, melancholic groove. With such a huge sound Monolord could easily rest on their laurels and repeat and bland sliding riff for an hour and it would probably do fine in sales. Thankfully, this is a band with integrity. The haunting vocal delivery is delicate and will leave most chilled to the bone (or perhaps that is just the autumnal weather, a fitting time to release this record). This said, the record doesn’t fall too far into the “emotional” trap and become tame or too sentimental, rather giving us something that retains its heaviness but perhaps a more introspective angle than any of their previous works.

This album is certainly dynamic, as tracks such as the “To Each Their Own” showcases brilliantly, a mournful, almost psychedelic and yet folky piece that allows delivers crushing blows of Doom Metal that still worships the art of the riff. This is probably the best example of what the album does with progressions that do not forgo the elements that us headbangers love such as booming drums, gritty and crunchy riffing and more powerful vocals yet they do not rely too heavily on repeating themselves. Perhaps most charming is the use of more traditional Heavy Metal leads which give this soaring triumphant feeling to the otherwise sorrowful swing of the music, this is a juxtaposition that is delivered wonderfully. Perhaps some folk will find this album has gone “too far” and isn’t heavy enough, but I would argue the contrast makes it even heavier. For those concerned, listen to “I’ll Be Damned” and how it belts out pure classic Stoner-Doom fury with no remorse.

The reinvention of their sound has undergone a transformative process wherein Monolord still play pulverising Doom Metal but without fear of thinking outside the box. This is a hard release to score, because I came for the more typical riff-fest that is still thankfully here in abundance but was also met with these strange elements that caught me off-guard. I think that is a commendable asset for a band in this vein and to criticise innovation, when it suits the record, is not my style. I must admit I preferred the amazing “No Comfort”, but this is still a fantastic LP in its own right, if a bit of a mixed bag which may prove divisive, or the catalyst for the band to grow further. Either way, I enjoyed this album and think many others will too.