MONOLITHE "Harmony Of Null Matter (section 1 & 2)" Interlude Second (2012)
MONOLITHE
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Monolithe - Interlude Second review (Metal Storm / 2 January 2012)
Monolithe - Interlude Second [EP]
01. Harmony Of Null Matter - Section 1
02. Harmony Of Null Matter - Section 2
What a fascinating entity Monolithe have become. This recently emerged EP has perhaps brought them closer to the mystery that their name and artwork has always hinted at, that of the glorious existential imaginings of 2001: A Space Odyssey, than their (admittedly excellent) funeral doom incarnations of Monolithe I and Monolithe II. In fact it's safe to say they've exited the realms of doom altogether and transferred dimensions to a plateau of relatively structure-free mechanised, if not industrialised, landscaping.
Unquestionably this is a drone (though not drone metal as such) and percussion driven record. At every corner you'll experience some form of clicking-cum-pounding array of drum patterning, permanently shrouded in tightly wrapped and timed bass, with a looser, snaking yet ever-present synth circling it like rock and ice particles orbiting a planet. The guitars are there... somewhere, but it's difficult to evaluate their true relevance until the shorter, second track begins where they define themselves in clear, discordant, yet melodic strokes. The occasional breaking gruff vocal exclamations scattered throughout its 35 minute discourse neither add or take much away from the music other than perhaps giving a familiar glimpse of normality. This is not music that is pointed toward any trite emotional exposition, the melancholy of doom or the coldness of black metal, it isn't going to require hours of mental preparation or a round trip of Merzbow and Throbbing Gristle records to acclimate oneself, it's surprisingly neutral and palatable. Just ultimately different. Ultimately alien.
A 25 + 10 minute duo of obscure convention breaking sonic exploration might seem too much of an undertaking to sit through, but... it really isn't. As I said, this isn't aimed at distorting the mind through pain and force, rather by a mellow form of attrition and hypnosis, slowly working its way under the skin. By its end it'll feel like a pleasant drone. The back of your neck will resonate with the bass, your grey matter will have adapted to the timezone of the drums effortlessly and your memory will have recognised the paths of the synths. You'll be happy, if spatially bemused.
It's no secret that Blut Aus Nord's masterbrain, Vindsval, has or at least had incorporated Monolithe into his record label Appease Me with promises of featuring himself as a vocal talent on the long awaited Monolithe III (now supposedly being released under Debemur Mortii) so one has to ponder at the influential forces he exerted on this. Even so, this is far from his nihilistic and apocalyptic undertakings, and while often atonal, it is rarely unpleasant and difficult but always thoroughly excellent. But don't take my word for it, take theirs.
Band profile: Monolithe
Album: Interlude Second
http://monolithedoom.tumblr.com/