Ignea – Monumental
Ignea – Monumental
Napalm Records
Release Date: 23/10/26
Review by Oli Gonzalez
8/10
Are we looking at the future of metal? Quite possibly. Despite everything thrown at them lately in their home nation of Ukraine – including having to write their album in the harsh Eastern European winters in the middle of a literal warzone – Ignea have got many eyes on their product for all the right reasons. Namely for the exciting new complex sound they bring to the world of metal, which is on full display on their latest record “Monumental”.
Coming under the banner of progressive metal, their sound is as varied as it is complex. You’ll find yourself getting lost in epic power metal landscapes, driven by the band’s clever deployment of indulgent and opulent synths. They provide the melodic focal point in songs like ‘Darkness’, in conjunction with the warm and inviting vocals of Helle. Though don’t get too comfortable. Within a matter of seconds, things can turn nasty with a blistering assault on the eardrums led by the filthy distorted guitars and Helle switching personalities and unleashing a wave of blood-curdling growls! ‘Presence of The Past’ best displays this wonderful dichotomy. In the song’s outset, a delicate and gentle synth melody and Helle’s soothing vocals juxtapose with the blistering, earth-shaking drum beat that drives the song’s pace and energy. She later unleashes the aforementioned heavier vocals in an effort that constantly keeps you on guard and unsure what to expect!
‘Prefab’ represents one of the bigger curveballs, with an industrial-spiced frenzy! Crunching guitars and electronic beats characterize the sound, as do the beauty-and-the-beast-style vocals with Halle and guest vocalist Andy LaPlagua; a collaboration with Combichrist!
Fellow countrymen and women, Jinjer have proven what levels a band from Ukraine can reach. Ignea’s sound does share some similarities with Jinjer in many ways, not least for the progressive, forward-thinking approach and also the double threat of Halle. Though make no mistake, Ignea are moving forward on their own terms and forging an exciting path with their complex sound that combines this symphonic power sound with industrial and progressive metal.
TRACKLISTING:
01. Darkness
02. Dreams of Lands Unseen
03. Presence of the Past
04. Prefab (feat. Combichrist)
05. What Buildings Dream of
06. I am in Hell
07. Between No Longer and Not Yet
08. Harmony Manufactured (feat. Hiraes)
09. nadir
LINKS:
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