Release
date: April
19th
2019. Label: The
Company KC.
Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Monument
–
Tracklisting
1.New
Breath
2.Iron
Healer
3.Mirrors
of Trigon
4.The
Whip
5.Shivast
Members
Luke
Rauch : Vocals/ Guitar
Keith
Rich: Drums
Drew
Rauch: Vocals/ Bass
Review
Progressive
Sludge/Stoner Rockers DRUIDS new album Monument is perhaps the record
that will hopefully
see
them gain actual mainstream attention. As they’ve created an album
that draws influence from Sleep, Mastodon and Baroness though an
album still with its sound and identity. Newly signed to The Company
KC who have are a building up a steady reputation in releasing
quality sounding releases and Monument is no different.
Opening
song – New Breath – has some epic Mastodon-esque riffs running
through it’s veins though offering a more varied Progressive Rock
sound. The sci-fi based themes are what makes DRUIDS music truly
standout. As the mood becomes more volatile and allows the band to
create a more thunderous style of Sludge/Stoner Metal with the vocals
being more grounded as well.
Second
song – Iron Healer – has a heavier and more direct sound compared
to the opening song. The vocals are a cool mix of Clean Vocals and
Heavy Prowls and is perhaps DRUIDS best vocal performance to date.
The psychedelic and space rock riffs work superbly with the heavier
Progressive Rock/Metal elements the band have included here.
Third
song – Mirrors Of Trigon – is the song that is perhaps the
standout song and the one that has been generating actual buzz within
the scene for DRUIDS and rightly so. This is an epic reinvention of
the modern sounding Sludge/Stoner Metal sound. The sludgy and droned
out guitars slowly build up a cold rhythm before the doomier elements
appear for a more varied and richer sound. The vocals have an
alternative rock/metal feel to them and it works surprisingly well.
The lyrics maybe OTT but it allows everything to flow naturally
whilst telling an interesting story as well.
The
final two songs – The Whip and Shivast – continues with the epic
Sci-Fi based themes DRUIDS build their music upon. Shivast is perhaps
the strongest of the final two songs as DRUIDS go all out on this
song and perhaps perform some of the albums heaviest progressive
sounds.
Monument is DRUIDS finest record to date and they deserve all the success and plaudits coming their way. This is a record you cannot miss.
Monument is DRUIDS finest record to date and they deserve all the success and plaudits coming their way. This is a record you cannot miss.
Words
by Steve Howe
Thanks
to The
Company KC for
the promo. Monument
will
be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via The Company KC
from April
19th
2019.
Links: