Monolith – Hornets Nest
Monolith – Hornets Nest
Self Released
Release Date: 22/03/24
Running Time: 22:36
Review by Oli Gonzalez
7/10
‘Meshuggah in a smack den’ is how Metal Hammer described the previous work of UK based Blackened Hardcore act Monolith. My curiosity was peaked! The band, who are an unknown entity to me, have also had their sound described as ‘raw and most primal displays of intelligently, painstaking crafted music that Metal has offered to date’. Quite an accolade. So, what to expect of the band’s upcoming release, “Hornets Nest”?
Kicking off with a brief instrumental affair, ‘Malignant’ is interesting, with a voiceover of what appears to be a news report adding a sense of narrative and cinematic feel. Then the onslaught begins with ‘Catalyst’. We’re thrown straight into an unrelenting Hardcore frenzy! Which is where the issue lies. Without any real sense of build up or tension, it feels like a mindless assault on the ear drums without any real planning or strategy. The same can be said for ‘Inquest’. The comparison to Meshuggah seems like a stretch at this stage, though there’s an undeniable grind undertone that would satiate fans of Rotten Sound and early Napalm Death! Industrial and primitive in its production, there’s definitely scope for polishing and refinement here. A fairly underwhelming start.
However, that changes when we’re introduced to ‘Bonefarmer’. Rather than mindless balls to the wall primitive rage, it seems as though Monolith have returned to providing a solid rhythmic foundation and a hypnotic groove that will no doubt have your neck snapping back and forth! This is a much more encouraging and a much more solid compositional approach. The cinematic voice over returns and again adds a sense of narrative and intrigue. It’s a shame that the vocals are far too distorted and makes becoming invested in this story via this medium nigh on impossible. “The Caves” also introduces more interesting rhythmic patterns too, with the guitars, bass, and drums locking in to create a glorious yet consistently heavy wall of sound. Again, much more encouraging.
The guitarist provides a sense of creative freedom and artistic expression during ‘The Offering’, with a more melodic relief in the form of a brief yet scorching lead solo! More of that please! Will we get this in the final track, ‘A Vermin’s End?’. Simply, yes. The guitar is way more interesting and aesthetically pleasing this time round. Much more crucially though, this seems like a much more sophisticated and complex performance. Especially with the much slower and controlled introduction to the song, allowing for tension and anticipation to build. It’s much in the style of old school Death Metal greats Obituary, something desperately missing from ‘Catalyst’. Interestingly, the strongest song on this album is also the longest which demonstrates that this much more refined and technical approach is much better than the frantic mad scientist approach exhibited earlier in the album. If you have time for only one track, make it this!
Overall, “Hornets Nest” is an album that is in need of some refinement and polishing but demonstrates encouraging signs and a hint at an untapped potential within the band’s ranks. While Meshuggah in a smack den may not be the most accurate description upon listening to the album, perhaps ‘Rotten Sound in a garage’ may be more fitting. While it’s not quite ready yet, you know something is brewing nicely and reading to be unleashed on us soon enough.
TRACKLISTING
01. Malignant
02. Catalyst
03. Inquest
04. Bonefarmer
05. The Caves
06. Infinite Abyss
07. Pyre Of Tusks
08. The Offering
09. A Vermins End
LINE-UP
Luke – Vocals
Rob – Guitar
Lewis – Bass/Whispers
Dan – Drums
LINKS
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