In the four years since their last album release, change has once again been a huge factor for Monuments, in terms of the band themselves and their peers around them. With the change of vocalist Andy Cizek replacing Chris Barretto and long-term guitarist Olly Steele leaving the fold, time has also seen the other bands equally noted for the young djent movement taking force largely move away from it. Monuments on previous efforts were one of the few that have remained fairly rigid in their sound (as strong as that sound and their output has been). 

In light of this, it is both interesting and welcoming to see them take some evolutionary steps on (the arguably inaptly titled) In Stasis (Century Media).

Opening song ‘No One Will Teach You’ fits the archetypal mould for Monuments, sounding like it could easily come from their debut album Gnosis and even includes former vocalist Neema Askari. Any notion that In Stasis is more of the same is expelled with the following ‘Lavos’ however, which fully showcases Cizek’s commanding vocal performance and dynamic range, notably in passages that drop instrumentation completely and firmly put him at centre stage. ‘Lavos’ and the ensuing “Cardinal Red” also feature composer Mick Gordon (famed especially for the Doom video game reboot franchise) which adds an expectant weight and fury to them both with an increased sense of atmosphere.

Much of the rest of In Stasis offers little in the way of deviating their sound but does quite simply see the band offering their best work to date. The brace of ‘Opiate’ and ‘Collapse’ are amongst their heaviest songs to date and at times begin to veer in to more extreme territories, whereas ‘Somnus’ delivers a towering chorus which showcases Sizek’s added emotive streak which could easily give them a greater crossover appeal. Finally, the eight minutes-plus ‘The Cimmerian’ sees them at arguably the most expansive they have been as it veers from the typical polyrhythmic style guitar work to a more ambient flourish before exploding once again.

While In Stasis will still prove largely familiar, there are clear signs of trying to expand and bolster their sound. The addition of Sizek has clearly had an invigorating effect on the band as they are able to take some more risks in their song writing and he is able to deliver an equally increased dynamic range on vocals than the band have shown before. In Stasis is not the mammoth divergence that many of their peers have shown in recent years, however it is Monuments showing that they are willing to experiment whilst retaining that knack for the anthemic. 

Buy the album here: https://monuments.lnk.to/InStasisID

7 / 10

CHRIS TIPPELL