Monolyth - 2023 - We've Caught the Sun

(38:02; Ellie Promotion)

Track list:
1. The Neverending Beginning 5:22
2. The Right to Bleed 3:24
3. My Blackest Days 4:28
4. No Damage 3:51
5. Breathe 2:51
6. Insomnia 3:57
7. Wasted 3:42
8. Feed the Light 3:59
9. Into Speechlessness 3:08
10. Wallbanger 3:20

Line-up:
Amaury Durand - vocals
Julien Dijoux - guitars
Batt Cauchy - drums
Tristan Mélique - guitars
Vanessa Housieaux - bass


French band Monolyth started out back in 2006, and released two demo tapes in quick succession before launching their debut album "Catch the Sun" just a year after the band was formed. Since then band activities in the recording department have slowed down a bit, with the EP "The Forwarder" appearing in 2011 and then the band's second album "A Bitter End / A Brave New World" appearing in 2018. This year they are ready with their third album "We Have Caught the Sun", which was released through French label Ellie Promotion.

While this is a new album by the band, the music on this production is old. As the album title also indicates, this is a reworked edition of the band's debut album from 2007, their first album remade in the style the band is currently pursuing. As I don't know the original and can't seem to find an easy manner in which to access it either, there is no easy manner in which to compare them. Personally I don't think doing so is all that important either, but it is worth mentioning this nonetheless.

In terms of style I'd say that this album pretty much falls in under the thrash metal moniker somewhere, with a few impulses in related directions. I do see that the band/label and metal fans have slightly different views on genre placement in this particular case, which is of course always interesting to note. That my personal view is a little bit on the left side of both of them to some extent is to me an indicator of how a strong focus on styles and subgenres often can be a less important tool than many would have it to be.

Tight and vibrant riff and rhythm cascades with a thrash metal style is what I get from this band, with chugging, hammering and more circulating groove patterns in use as well as more dramatic impact riff oriented escapades and sections with more staccato and abrupt patterns. The latter in particular will often make use of an orientation and delivery that draw in impulses from hardcore, and this latter aspect is also given emphasis by harsh vocals delivered with a clear influence from this style of music too. A few songs will incorporate a few details pulled in from the power metal department with tendencies towards galloping riffs and rhythms, but more as a secondary feature than as a defining aspect of the sound.

The landscapes are expanded towards a more broadly appealing sound by the use of clean vocals alternating with the harsh and aggressive ones, and we get some fine vocal harmony elements throughout that further emphasize a more broadly appealing character to the compositions. The frequent and at times ongoing use of subtle harmony overlays adds further emphasis to this aspect, and much the same can be said for the careful use of electronic effects.

The main and perhaps only slight drawback to this production is that it is a fairly uniform album, and combined with my perception of the songs also lacking the exceptional features that really grabs your attention and holds on to it makes this a waning album experience for me. Which makes the second half of this album a less intriguing experience than the first half, and I'm pretty sure that if I had played the album in reverse order I would have stated that the final half was more intriguing than the first half. It is a case of the elements used being cut from the same cloth, without any sparkling details or design features applied to the later cuts that makes them stand out. Kind of like eating the same high quality pizza ten days in a row, on day ten the taste just isn't as fabolous as it was on day one.

Those with an interest in a tight and vibrant variety of thrash metal will find a lot to enjoy about this album. A certain affection for an ongoing hardcore undercurrent will be needed in this case, and an appreciation for the use of more subtle melodic elements to slightly offset and dampen the more harsh characteristics of the hardcore elements is probably a bit of a requirement too. I'd hazard a bet that the greater majority of those who find such a description to be intriguing should find this album to be an interesting and rewarding experience.

Olav M. Björnsen, March 2023

Links:
http://www.monolyth.fr/
http://elliepromotion.com/