Formed in Warsaw in 2022, Deamonolith are a fairly new band on the progressive death metal scene. However, each of the five members who comprise this crew have deep roots in the Polish underground extreme metal movement and it’s a pedigree they bring to their debut album. Featuring six experimental tracks that redefine what death metal can be, The Monolithic Cult Of Death is an album that is sure to inspire countless imitators, but it’s hard to envision any band surpassing this effort.
While it is true that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover (or an album by its sleeve), that which houses The Monolithic Cult Of Death is pretty indicative of the sound contained within. Artist Michał “Xaay” Loranc has done a great job in producing a cover that’s rich in symbolism and one that offers a myriad of readings and that’s exactly what labyrinthine opener ‘The Afterfall’ serves up. Some bands know exactly how to use an introduction and that which heralds the arrival of ‘The Afterfall’ is perfect. A great deal of effort has obviously been expended upon choosing just the right notes and tone, and here they combine in strange and hypnotic ways to cast a spell over the listener and when the band kick in at the two-and-a-half minute mark, it is with some force. The twin guitar assault is put to good use, chugging in tandem before unleashing dexterous solos while the rhythm section prove themselves equally adept and switch tempos with telepathic ease. Not to be outdone, vocalist Kobuch has an elasticity to his style that finds him wrapping his words (to the point of snapping) around the melodic lines. It all adds up to an extreme listen, and one that assaults from all angles, not unlike a nest of vipers.
With a suitably post-apocalyptic storyline threading these songs together, this album has the feel of a concept album and will hold your undivided attention over the course of 35-minutes. The lyricism is a piece of art in its own right and fits the music perfectly, the two combining to create an eerie feel that’s reminiscent of the very best dystopian literature (Nineteen-Eighty Four, Powrót z gwiazd). With very little or no gaps between the songs, The Monolithic Cult Of Death flows like an allegro and forces the listener to experience it like an old school album as it lifts us up to heady highs one moment, then drops us down the next. Like a riddle within an enigma, this record proves to be a multi-sided affair that displays a different facet by turns, but a common theme is daunting size. Tracks such as ‘The Fall, The Reek & Forlorness’ create a feeling of something so big it can barely be comprehended, a monolithic structure so large it blocks out the sun. Yet, Deamonolithic are wise enough to temper their dark with light and that’s best exemplified by ‘Conquerors Of The Void’, an epic song of two halves, with each acting as a foil to highlight and enhance the other.
At certain moments in the history of metal, albums come along to rewrite the rulebook; think Slayer’s Reign In Blood, Morbid Angel’s Blessed Are The Sick and Watchtower’s Control And Resistance…and now you can add The Monolithic Cult Of Death to that illustrious list.
- The Monolithic Cult Of Death is released via Godz Ov War Productions and is available now (from here).
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Track List:
SO1EO1 The Afterfall
SO1EO2 The Ultimate Solution
SO1EO3 The Fall, The Reek & Forlorness
SO1EO4 The Acknowledgement
SO1EO5 Conquerors Of The Void
SO1EO6 When All Has Been Done
