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Behold! The Monolith - Defender, Redeemist review



Reviewer:
7.9

9 users:
7.22
Band: Behold! The Monolith
Album: Defender, Redeemist
Release date: January 2012


01. Guardian's Procession
02. Halv King
03. Desolizator
04. Redeemist
05. We Are the Worm
06. Witch Hunt Supreme
07. Cast On The Black/Lamentor/Guided By The Southern Cross
08. Bull Colossi

Behold! It's big, it's heavy and it's descending from the skies to flatten you in an unrelenting rain. Behold! It's the Monolith! The Defender, Redeemist comes to claim your ears with its volatile concoction of stoner riffs riding atop a behemoth of doom licked sludge.

This album changes face at the drop of a hat from the all weapons unholstered approach of tracks like "Halv King" and "We Are The Worm" to the immense and lurking presence of the three part "Cast On The Black/Lamentor/Guided By The Southern Cross." The flattening finale "Bull Colossi" straddles the line between sludge and stoner, more than living up to its title.

With some enticingly fat and fuzzy guitar work which works wonders as it feeds rockin' stoner riffs the listener may find it difficult to leave them and move into those more gradually hammered out doom paced tracks. The contrast can be difficult to accustom oneself to and despite my battered and bruised position from the bottom of the crater created by the impact I can't help but request of the Defender, Redeemist "?..could you repeat that?"

Yet the album flows through seamlessly, never ceasing and never bringing their visceral assault to a complete standstill even in those moments of deathly quiet. These merely serve as false hope before returning with another volley of sludge dripping stoner goodness. Sounding sleek and precise yet earthy and rough the production is a valuable asset which grants an aggressive edge to all elements within, especially on such moments as the chasmic guitarline which runs about midway through "Desolizator."

The fleeting whispers and supplementary inclusion of spoken word are audible and grant something of an ominous feel as they are placed in conjunction with the terrific riffs. The vocals are dependable as well as adaptive as they issue forth in stoner fashion before making a slightly harsher turn to accompany the more sludge laden stretches.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as they say. So you'd best Behold! I'll be damned if this thing could be described as beautiful though.


Rating breakdown
Performance: 8
Songwriting: 8
Originality: 8
Production: 8





Written on 17.12.2012 by R'Vannith enjoys music, he's hoping you do too.


Comments

Comments: 6   Visited by: 160 users
17.12.2012 - 13:05
BloodTears
ANA-thema
I remember listening to this album at the beginning of the year. It was quite heavy and had good moments, but it didn't leave that great of a mark on me.
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Written by BloodTears on 19.08.2011 at 18:29

Like you could kiss my ass.


My Instagram
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17.12.2012 - 13:16
!J.O.O.E.!
Account deleted
What Ana said.
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17.12.2012 - 13:58
Spirit Molecule
spirit molecule
I liked this one. Among my favourites this year.
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If you never wake up from a dream does it become reality?

Last fm
Don't click here
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17.12.2012 - 14:48
Rating: 8
Boxcar Willy
yr a kook
Also enjoyed this, try have CDs on their bandcamp for super cheap too. (something like $8 shipped)
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14:22 - Marcel Hubregtse
I do your mum

DESTROY DRUM TRIGGERS
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09.02.2013 - 11:51
Rating: 7
tea[m]ster
Au Pays Natal
I'm pretty sure I listened to this when it came out. Not so sure if I remember any of it. That's probably not a good thing. Nice review. I'll have to check this out again, when I have time.
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rekt
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09.02.2013 - 14:18
Rating: 8
R'Vannith
ghedengi
Written by tea[m]ster on 09.02.2013 at 11:51

I'm pretty sure I listened to this when it came out. Not so sure if I remember any of it. That's probably not a good thing. Nice review. I'll have to check this out again, when I have time.


I'd recommend giving it another whirl, I really enjoyed it for its blend of sludge/stoner. Some might describe it as bit progressive at times, which might add to your interest.
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