Release
date: Sept
20th
2019. Label: Relapse
Records.
Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
No
Comfort
– Tracklisting
1.The
Bastard Son 09:26
2.The
Last Leaf 05:14 video
3.Larvae
09:38
4.Skywards
06:55
5.Alone
Together 04:58
6.No
Comfort 10:54
Members
Thomas
Jäger - Guitar/Vocals
Esben
Willems - Drums
Mika
Häkka - Bass
Review
No
Comfort is the fourth album from Swedish Doom Metal Heavyweights –
Monolord – and their first album for new label Relapse Records
after releasing three critically acclaimed albums previously on
RidingEasy Records. After perhaps releasing their best album with
Rust a couple years ago. I was sceptical that Monolord could move
onto bigger and better things or even redefine their sound.
I’m
happy to report that Monolord have achieved that and even more with
No Comfort. As the band have a different sound though still including
familiar sounds and elements that have appeared on their previous
albums. This is a more focused and dare I say more hopeful version of
Monolord with the band embracing the classic Hard Rock/Heavy metal
sounds of the seventies amongst the modern sounding progressive Doom
based grooves.
Opening
song – The Bastard Son – gets straight down to business of
hearing Monolord with a clearer and distinctive sound. The mood is
more progressive which allows the music to become more experimental
with a top-notch Psychedelic vibe hidden in the background. The song
is quite gloomy in places but more riffier as well. The song and
album maybe not as heavy as previous Monolord releases but there is a
high amount of heavy riffs and grooves throughout the album. The
vocals from Thomas are superb as ever but it’s the music that’s
the real “star” here.
Second
song – The Last Leaf – sees Monolord go for a conventional
Doom/Stoner Metal sound on this song but there are still a few cool
surprises along the way. The seventies influence come shining through
on this song and it’s quite exciting to hear especially when the
band start playing an aggressive style of music that has echoes of
Black Sabbath and Thin Lizzy within it’s DNA. Monolord play some of
the heaviest and best riffs on the album on this song alone.
Third
song – Larvae – has a more hopeful approach with a Post-Rock
interlude starting the song before a classic sounding Seventies style
guitar riff that brings a Psychedelic Doom vibe back to the album.
This song reminds me of Rust in many ways but still allowing Monolord
to develop their sound to new levels of creativity. The song is quite
moody and intense but one that ends on a more upbeat and positive
note.
The
second half of the album carries on the great work Monolord achieved
with the first half with the remaining three songs – Skywards,
Alone Together and No Comfort – allowing the band to experiment
with their overall sound and writing some of the best lyrics of their
career especially with Skywards and No Comfort.
Monolord
have always been known for their heavy pounding riffs and this album
doesn’t disappoint at all especially when you listen to the final
two songs – Alone Together and No Comfort. These two songs take you
on quite an emotional journey with its deeply moving lyrics and
Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Metal riffs holding everything together.
No
Comfort is a wonderful sounding album and I wouldn’t expect
anything less from Monolord. As this band always deliver the goods in
the audio department. No Comfort allows the band to forge an exciting
new future for themselves and I can’t wait to hear what the guys
will release next.
Overall,
No Comfort is a thrilling, exciting and insightful album that leaves
you wanting more. This is one of the best albums you’ll hear this
year or any year for that matter. It’s seriously that great.
Words
by Steve Howe
No
Comfort is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl now via Relapse Records
Links:
