EP Review: Monolord – It’s All The Same
Reviewed by Rick Eaglestone
There are certain givens in life, one here being that whenever I see the name Monolord I will endeavour to hear new material from then whenever I can.
Immediately off the bat as title track ‘Glaive’ (It’s All The Same) gives off almost a hypnotic, folk horror soundtrack vibes and well if you love the guitar tones and vocal delivery of Wytch Hazel’s phenomenal album 'IV: Sacrament' then you are indeed in for a treat as this feels very much cut from the same cloth, the opener is sheer melancholy with a great sweeping tempo and tone.
‘The Only Road’ is more of the blend of traditional doom of the past but with flickers of a new soul trying to escape, again much like the previous track Jagers vocals are a particular highlight as they once blend so well with the slow lingering basslines from Hakki and the slow heartbeat of Willems drum patterns.
This newer direction has more harmonies, shorter song times and generally a more retro vibe but you will hear absolutely no complaints for me on that front as Monlord have managed to indeed make a statement by claiming something is the same when it couldn’t be more different, if there was going to be any criticism it would be that I enjoyed this direction so much I would’ve like maybe one more track for it to feel like an EP rather than a single.
