Release
date: March
12th
2019. Label: Self
Released.
Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Ocean
– Tracklisting
1.Ocean
In Our Bones 10:07
2.Leviathan
12:55
3.Guns
And Greed 09:18
4.A
Place Beyond 12:36
5.Home
11:42
Members
Chris
- bass/vocals
Ewald
- drums
Jan
- guitar
Review
Ocean
is the new album from Progressive Stoner Rockers – Monocluster.
Before I start my actual review I’m going to post the description
the band have put on their BandCamp Page. Mainly to show you what to
expect on their new album.
Monocluster
is a three-piece Stoner Psychedelic Death Blues Band from Cologne
Germany
Musical
influences - Kyuss, Sungrazer, All them Witches, Colour Haze.
And
that’s a very good description on how to describe Ocean and the
band as a whole. However the band still create their own powerful and
dynamic sound that has moments of Progressive Rock and Post
Rock/Metal appearing from time to time.
Ocean
isn’t the most easiest album to listen and to fully appreciate.
This is an album that will take many listens to understand the
overall narrative and story of the album. The music moves into so
many different musical genres that you will need your wits about you.
Though you can’t deny how addictive the music and vocals actually
are.
Opening
song Ocean In Our Bones has a deep All Them Witches influence running
through it’s DNA but spliced with the dark poetry and genius of Lou
Reed
and Dave
Wyndorf.
I know that sounds very weird but the lyrics are quite dark and when
the vocals appear, the whole mood of the album becomes slightly
depressing. Trust me when I say that’s a god thing. This shows that
Monocluster aren’t afraid to take huge creative risks with their
music and Monocluster start to sound very
unique indeed.
Second
song – Leviathan – carries on the Psychedelic Death Blues (the
band’s own term) riffs for a more darker and varied sound. The
psychedelic grooves start to appear before slowly expanding into a
huge wall of sonic riffs that literally took my breath away. This
song is played at a slow deliberate pace and you have to wait for the
heavy progressive moments to appear. Though it’s worth it as the
band have a few surprises along the way with this song. This song is
perhaps best described as a slightly depressing style of Desert
Rock/Stoner Metal and Monocluster deserve credit for playing with
people’s expectations on this song.
The
remaining 3 songs – Guns and Greed, A Place Beyond and Home carry
on the experimental vibe contained on the opening two tracks. However
things become weirder and perhaps even heavier on the later stages of
the album. As once again, Monocluster create more nightmarish sounds
you didn’t think was possible for a Psychedelic Stoner Rock/Metal
band.
I
would have to say that A Place Beyond is perhaps my favourite song
held on the album. As it’s the song I initially I had the most
issues with and the song that I kept going back to. Within time, it
became my favourite part of the album and that’s perhaps down to
the epic progressive riffs and complex themes the band have written
on this song.
Monocluster
are amazing musicians and this album proves this time and time again.
The production on the album is superb and brings Monocluster’s
music truly to life. Maybe the band are too ambitious on certain
parts of the album but I applaud the band for delivering a wonderful
and truly original album.
This
is a must have album if you like your Stoner Rock music Dark, Heavy,
Progressive and Realistic.
Excellent
and Highly Recommended.
Words
by Steve Howe