Saturday 21 November 2020

FARER - Moned (Album Review)

 

Release date: November 20th 2020. Label: Tartarus Records (Tape) / Aesthetic Death (CD) Format: Cassette/DD/CD

Moned – Tracklisting

1.Phanes 13:07
2.Asulon 14:18 
3.Moros 12:09
4.Elpis 13:03


Review

Moned is the new album from Dutch Doom/Noise/Sludge Metal specialists – Farer – and it’s a bleak and uncompromising vision of heavy progressive distorted grooves and harsh growls throughout it’s almost 53 minute running time. Farer used to be known as MENHIR before changing their name back in 2019.

I didn’t know what to expect with Farer and I was quite surprised how they use their “Noise” based element of their overall sound to perhaps be the most threatening part of the entire the record. The pitch-black progressive Doom/Sludge Metal vibes only add extra weight to what Farer are trying to accomplish on this album. Moned is parts Blackened Sludge, Post-Black Metal and a healthy nightmarish dose of Industrial Metal with the vocals having a “seizure” like effect.

The 4 songs on offer last over 12 to 14 minutes each with each song having a diverse range of sounds. I can hear difference influences from the Extreme Metal spectrum but Farer make sure this is their own bleak and FUCKED-UP world coming to life. If you dig bands such as Godflesh, Neurosis and ISIS (The Band) then you know the journey this album will take you upon.

Farer add a lot of different ambient and industrial noises that reminds me of the early days of Nine Inch Nails especially on the excellent opening song – Phanes. There is an extended “Noise” rock sample that lasts a few moments before Farer switch gears and play a harsh blend of Doom, Sludge Metal that will keep the “Extreme Metal” fans happy and maybe piss-off the more “Casual” listener.

There’s a lot to take in with this album. As it’s one of the most uncompromising and disturbing albums I’ve heard this year. I did struggle at first with the vocals and what was being sung and screamed at. After a few attempts I started to understood more and the messages the album contains with each individual song.

The other 3 songs carry on the same bleak visions and musical passages the opening song projected and Farer only become more confident with their unsettling and violent riffs slowly becoming even hypnotic in places especially on the superb 3rd song – Moros.

The album has been mastered by the legendary James Plotkin who knows a thing or two about making a truly heavy record and that what Farer have delivered with this album. This a brutally heavy and devastating album that packs an emotional punch. Well, if you have the stomach for it all.

Monad was a welcome distraction to the usual and perhaps uplifting “Stoner Rock/Metal” albums I’ve been reviewing recently and it was a good excuse to get myself out of my “comfort zone” and I thank Farer for that experience.

Overall, Monad is an epic and intelligent sounding album that will appeal more to the “Extreme” Metal fan. Though, I would implore everyone to check this great album out. As you will richly rewarded with a more bleaker style of music.

Excellent and Highly Recommended. 

Words by Steve Howe

You can buy the album from links below

Tape (via Tartarus Records) - bit.ly/FarerBuyTape
CD (via Aesthetic Death) - bit.ly/FarerBuyCD


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