Thursday 10 October 2019

Monte Luna - Drowners' Wives (Album Review)


Release date: October 04th 2019. Label: Argonauta Records. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Drowners’ Wives – Tracklisting

1.Water Hag 05:53
2.The Butcher of Blaviken 07:14
3.Night of Long Fangs 03:46
4.Wild Hunt 02:19
5.Man of Glass 06:40
6.Scenes from a Marriage 08:29

Members

Guitar, Vocals, Bass - James Clarke
Drums, FX - Phil Hook

Additional Instrumentation and vocals by:

Steve Colca - Guitar, Vocals "Water Hag"
Jeff Klien - Guitar "The Butcher of Blaviken"
Tommy Munter - Bass "Night of Long Fangs"
Jaime Ramirez - Organ "Man of Glass, Scenes from a Marriage"

Review

Heavy Psychedelic Doom/Stoner Rockers Monte Luna return with their new album Drowners’ Wives and it’s a record that sees the band create a highly atmospheric sound compared to their 2017 debut album. It seems the band have brought their friends to play on the album such as Steve Colca of Destroyer Of Light fame amongst others.

That explains why the majority of the album sounds very different to each other and that’s a good thing. Drowner’s Wives is an album that allows Monte Luna to create their own sound and identity with this music. Though it did take me a long time to enjoy songs such as Man Of Glass and Scenes From A Marriage. As those songs both have the Organ making an appearance. It took a lot of listens but I actually appreciate those two excellent songs fully now.

Monte Luna feel inspired by Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats and Black Sabbath for certain parts of the album especially when the heavier Psychedelic Doom elements appear. The album doesn’t take long for the heavy and trippy riffs appear as the opening song – Water Hag – does a superb job in providing thrilling soundscapes against the Doom/Stoner Metal riffs.

Second song – The Butcher Of Blaviken – is one of the strongest songs on the album as the band play a weird and warped mix of Psych Rock, Doom, Stoner Metal and Atmospheric Drone on different stages of the song. The second half is the most interesting as the Drone aspect fully takes over and makes the album feel quite claustrophobic in places. A genuine highlight of the album.

Third song – Night Of Long Fangs – is a fast-paced Punk Rock/Doom Metal affair with a rough sounding atmosphere compared to other songs on the album. It’s works surprisingly well and James vocals feel very direct and apprehensive at the same time but it’s the music that’s the best part of this song. As despite the short running time, this song contains some of the most gloomiest riffs on the entire album.

Fourth song – Wild Hunt – is an ambient based interlude that lasts for over 2 mins and acts more as an instrumental song where there is some finely played drumming from Phil and gloomy F/X sound effects as well.

The final two songs – Man Of Glass and Scenes From A Marriage – are the songs that I had the most problems initially with and that’s down to the Organ appearing. Though I’m very much on board with these two songs now and I admire the creative choices that James and Phil made with these two songs. Scenes From A Marriage is the standout song from the final two songs. As the heavy Doom/Stoner Metal riffs have more of a threatening presence around them.

Drowners’ Wives is a highly original sounding album that will take a few listens to fully understand and appreciate.

Excellent and Highly Recommended.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Mona at All Noir and Curtis at Dewar PR for the promo. Drowners’ Wives is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via Argonauta Records.

Links: