Monsterworks - Earth
On the inner panel of Monsterworks’ cd “Earth”, there is a quote that says “Image is nothing. Metal is everything”. How true this is, however, Monsterworks’ image encompasses everything that is metal. And it’s within this vicious circle, or sphere (Earth), that this band stakes their claim by creating one of the most diverse metal albums I have heard, ever. There are so many intriguing elements within these songs, just as there are elements that make up this planet and Monsterworks plays on this integration to their utmost benefit. Beware though, this release isn’t for everyone. Only the most diehard yet diverse metal heads will like this as well as understand it. Along with all these elements and genre crossing that the band does, there is also an extremely intriguing mystique that immediately draws you in.
Musically, this band can go anywhere from progressive metal to deathcore to death metal to classic heavy metal, with ever-so slight elements of black metal. Although, the black metal elements are so subtle that you have to listen real close to notice them. The riffs are sharp and crystal clear and the progressive,power, and core elements are quite evident in this aspect of the music as well as in the solos. It’s as if you were taking the sounds of bands like Cynic, Death, King Diamond, Heir Apparent, Marillion, Borknagar, and Vintersorg with slight hints of Porcupine Tree and Opeth as icing on the cake. There are also a few parts on this album that have wonderfully orchestrated acoustic sections. As far as the drumming is concerned, I would say that the style is predominantly progressive with classical elements added for very well-placed variation in rhythm and timing. In some of the tunes here the patterns chosen to accompany the solos is absolutely genius. Even on the heavier tunes you can still hear the subtle tones and influences come through and the balance between the 2 can only come from painstaking time and care in the creating process. You can tell from the very first track that these guys are out to create a monster, hence the name Monsterworks. Now, the vocals patterns that the band uses on this album are just as varied as the elements of the music. Varying from King Diamond and Crimson Glory (Midnight era) type screams to midrange deathcore type vocals all the way to low guttural growls. In some of these songs there is even a clean vocal type singing used like Vintersorg for example. When all is said and done and everything is put together, you have absolute musical diversity and perfection. The only thing left to do is sit back and be prepared to travel into the vast horizons of absolutely beautiful madness.
While I am speaking of horizons, it is albums like this that cause me to broaden my horizons and welcome the evolution of true metal as these guys have welcomes the evolution of Earth. That is such a fitting name for this album due to that exact reason. The earth is always evolving as is metal music. And, as long as metal, true metal, evolves, it will never die. These guys did an excellent job here and stuck to the true heart and meaning of what metal is suppose to be. I am excited to see what the future holds for these fine gentlemen. As for this style of metal, I would dare to say that these guys are near to the top of the food chain.
Musically, this band can go anywhere from progressive metal to deathcore to death metal to classic heavy metal, with ever-so slight elements of black metal. Although, the black metal elements are so subtle that you have to listen real close to notice them. The riffs are sharp and crystal clear and the progressive,power, and core elements are quite evident in this aspect of the music as well as in the solos. It’s as if you were taking the sounds of bands like Cynic, Death, King Diamond, Heir Apparent, Marillion, Borknagar, and Vintersorg with slight hints of Porcupine Tree and Opeth as icing on the cake. There are also a few parts on this album that have wonderfully orchestrated acoustic sections. As far as the drumming is concerned, I would say that the style is predominantly progressive with classical elements added for very well-placed variation in rhythm and timing. In some of the tunes here the patterns chosen to accompany the solos is absolutely genius. Even on the heavier tunes you can still hear the subtle tones and influences come through and the balance between the 2 can only come from painstaking time and care in the creating process. You can tell from the very first track that these guys are out to create a monster, hence the name Monsterworks. Now, the vocals patterns that the band uses on this album are just as varied as the elements of the music. Varying from King Diamond and Crimson Glory (Midnight era) type screams to midrange deathcore type vocals all the way to low guttural growls. In some of these songs there is even a clean vocal type singing used like Vintersorg for example. When all is said and done and everything is put together, you have absolute musical diversity and perfection. The only thing left to do is sit back and be prepared to travel into the vast horizons of absolutely beautiful madness.
While I am speaking of horizons, it is albums like this that cause me to broaden my horizons and welcome the evolution of true metal as these guys have welcomes the evolution of Earth. That is such a fitting name for this album due to that exact reason. The earth is always evolving as is metal music. And, as long as metal, true metal, evolves, it will never die. These guys did an excellent job here and stuck to the true heart and meaning of what metal is suppose to be. I am excited to see what the future holds for these fine gentlemen. As for this style of metal, I would dare to say that these guys are near to the top of the food chain.
- From Dust and Gravity
- Late Heavy Bombardment
- The Last Universal Ancestor
- Oxygenation
- Powered By Fate
- Bookended By Extinction
- Aeon of Man
- Earth
