Monolord’s debut record, the promising and purposeful doom-laden cacophony of Empress Rising (RidingEasy), was one of those classic cases of an enormous amount of pressure being placed on a band before they actually got going. Picked up by so called tastemakers and setters of trend, it was one of those curious debut albums that everyone seemed to go mad crazy about for oh, a week, and then conveniently forget about for the rest of the year. This was a bit of a shame as the record certainly had its fair share of moments and, in the live environment, the band tended to nail it every single night.
Fair play to these laid back and lugubrious Swedes then for swiftly following up the debut record with an even better second album in the form of Vænir (also RidingEasy). Part challenge to the doubters and the naysayers and part consolidation of their art, Vænir is a very welcome arrival.
The six tracks on Vænir add up to around fifty minutes of music and, for the most part, it’s a solid and occasionally inspired affair. Monolord’s schtick is straight out of the stoner-doom rock tent so beloved of Electric Wizard or Yob. Monolord like to throw around the odd psychedelic flourish but, fundamentally, they are a straightforward lover of the riff. The opening track ‘Cursing the One’ is an excellent introduction, picking a massive, sweeping riff and pummelling the hell out of it for an almost absurd nine minutes. You’re either going to find it deeply hypnotic or deeply boring. I’m in the former camp.
To be honest, the rest of it is like that. You probably know what you are going to get with a song like ‘Died a Million Times’ that trudges, sludges and stomps through your cerebellum like some cantankerous heavy metal bull in a china shop. The epic title track is part pounding, part psychedelic meditation, all doom. ‘We Will Burn’ is the album’s standout track – it’s got a seriously catchy riff and melody and will have you reaching for the repeat button on the electronic device of your choice (or, for the old school among you; moving the needle back again and again).
Monolord are not a band for the faint of heart. They perhaps don’t have the artistic or philosophical veneer of Yob or the tunes of, well, Black Sabbath but unless you’re from the school of arcane pretentiousness then there is more than enough to keep you very happy indeed. Vænir, is pretty much a relentless juggernaut of aural power that pummels you into submission with riff after riff after glorious riff.
What’s not to love?
7.5/10
MAT DAVIES