By Pulverised Records

Tobias Netzel – Vocals, Guitar,

Bjorn Pettersson – Guitar,

Christian Netzel – Drums,

Tim Nedergard – Guitar,

Pierre Stam – Bass

Tracks:

1. For You To Know (6.14)
2. Debris (7.33)
3. The Poet and The Painter of Souls (5.39)
4. The Smoke (8.13)
5. A Shade of Plague (4.09)
6. With You Came Silence (6.09)
7. Pale Eye Revelation (6.16)
8. The Final Solution (Entering The Black Lodge) (12.51)

I must admit that ‘Monolith’, was an album that I was looking forward to its coming out. In Mourning, is a band from Sweden and at the end of January is about to release their second attempt in Europe, after their successful beginning with ‘Shrouded Divine’. When I first listened to their debut album, I was positively surprised, hoping that the Swedes would turn out to become one of my favorite bands. ‘Monolith’ is actually works as a confirmation of my hopes and I reckon that 2010 has entered very dynamically with an at least interesting release that will be commented by many. With the Progressive Melodic Death Metal that they play, Opeth might come to someone’s mind and it is a fact that after their first album they were characterized as another copy of the latter. However, In Mourning with ‘Monolith’ managed to delete any doubt or misunderstanding and with a unique manner they compose 8 fucking awesome songs that now can clearly distinguish them from the rest.

‘For You To Know’, after a stunning intro, transforms into a killer and the first thing to observe is the different vocals from Tobias, which give a special and unprecedented atmosphere in the song since they sound more –core or screamo like. In the continuation though, Tobias returns to the old but good and improved vocals that we had met through their debut album, and as a result we have a wonderful performance from him in ‘Monolith’, where the transition from clean vocals to the brutal ones make our emotions to come and go. The variety of the disc is huge and brilliant, with crushingly powerful riffs, acoustic and rhythm parts, haunting solos, progressive drumming, balanced bass guitar playing and some magical melodies that complete the perfect song writing and composition that keeps your interest all the way through the album. ‘Debris’ confirms the previous and with an exceptional production the three guitars create a flawless cohesion. Other songs like ‘The Poet and The Painter of Souls’ and ‘Pale Eye Revelation’, with pummeling riffs and absolute technique made an excellent transition from up – tempo music to a more doom – ish tempo atmosphere all the way to their end. Another positive note is that the Swedes have kept the commerciality of their music to a balanced level, maintaining the more brutal aspect of their genre dressed up with clinging melodies. And maybe the most important characteristic of a great album that can lead it to be a masterpiece is the authenticity that exists in it, and In mourning have done a very good job in that part. Still we have the more depressive points in the music, which can be combined with the looking at the haunting cover artwork of the release and surely transfer you to other places. In order to be more specific, those depressive moments can mostly be found to ‘The smoke’, ‘With You Came Silence’ and the last lengthy but epic song ‘The Final Solution (Entering the Black Lodge)’, the title of which might refer to the ‘The Black Lodge’ song of ‘Shrouded Divine’, and constitutes the best option for the end of the album.

The incredible artwork of the album has been created by the very well known Travis Smith (Nevermore, Opeth, Strapping Young Lad, Amorphis, King Diamond etc.) and it is another highlight of his work and extremely spooky. For many bands, if not all, the sophomore release is considered as one of their greatest steps in music, as it is the point where they show their potential for the future and in a way certify that what they had achieved through their debut was not in random. In Mourning not only have passed this test, but simultaneously with their personal improvement as musicians have raised high hopes for the future and acquired deservedly the label of the best upcoming metal band in our recent years. The album flows smoothly, with enjoyable cohesiveness among the songs and can be listened from the start till the end uninterrupted. I personally haven’t found any great flaw. From the production, compositions, lyrics till the artwork seems as an attempt that shows the intention of their record label (Pulverised Records) which surely bets a lot on these young lads from Falun of Sweden.

So to end with, amazed I claim that In Mourning have succeeded with ‘Monolith’ to go a step further and definitely shake for once more the death metal scene and not only. Even if we are in the beginnings of 2010 I dare to venture by telling that this album will be at the top 10 of the year. Honestly, I would like to see this group at a live gig, because I think that with these 2 releases they are far more than capable to blow our heads off. For those who don’t know them, make sure to search for them ‘cause they deserve it and they have come to stay. An idea of what ‘Monolith’ is all about, you can have by visiting their official site where you can find the entire album uploaded (http://www.inmourning.net/monolith/).

Ν.Μ.