In eager anticipation for Sonic Mass due out September 20, the first album of new material since 1987 by the Gods of Crust, presented here is Monolith by England's Amebix.
This is somewhat of a lost classic, more so in the US where it can be quite challenging to find compared to their earlier material that is available on Alternative Tentacles. Unlike for many fans, this album, their final before they split, was my first exposure to Amebix. I remember after hearing it for the first time I felt like I had stumbled upon some sacred gift. I was so overcome by this sensation of enlightenment that I rushed to share it with all of the people I knew. It quickly became clear to me by their reactions that I had once again found something that was only meant to be deeply appreciated by a chosen few. For me, Amebix has always been a punk band with metallic sensibilities, and not the other way around. This is one fine example of how "musically illiterate" people can come together and work their asses off to create something profound that will have an influence for generations to come.
Although many probably disagree, everything about the aesthetic of Amebix came together impeccably on Monolith. The way they play, and the way the album is mixed with the guitar somewhat quieter than the bass and drums seems intentional. The synths are clearly an integral part of their expression that accents the already doomy atmosphere set by the sometimes plodding and sometimes ready to fly off the rails assault of the ensemble. The lyrics, delivered by the Lemmy-esque snarl of The Baron, are among some of my favorite in all of extreme music with many lines that I will never forget.
Do yourself a favor and listen to this underappreciated classic, and if you love it then buy their new album when it comes out.
This is somewhat of a lost classic, more so in the US where it can be quite challenging to find compared to their earlier material that is available on Alternative Tentacles. Unlike for many fans, this album, their final before they split, was my first exposure to Amebix. I remember after hearing it for the first time I felt like I had stumbled upon some sacred gift. I was so overcome by this sensation of enlightenment that I rushed to share it with all of the people I knew. It quickly became clear to me by their reactions that I had once again found something that was only meant to be deeply appreciated by a chosen few. For me, Amebix has always been a punk band with metallic sensibilities, and not the other way around. This is one fine example of how "musically illiterate" people can come together and work their asses off to create something profound that will have an influence for generations to come.
Although many probably disagree, everything about the aesthetic of Amebix came together impeccably on Monolith. The way they play, and the way the album is mixed with the guitar somewhat quieter than the bass and drums seems intentional. The synths are clearly an integral part of their expression that accents the already doomy atmosphere set by the sometimes plodding and sometimes ready to fly off the rails assault of the ensemble. The lyrics, delivered by the Lemmy-esque snarl of The Baron, are among some of my favorite in all of extreme music with many lines that I will never forget.
Do yourself a favor and listen to this underappreciated classic, and if you love it then buy their new album when it comes out.
Year of Original Release: 1987
Year of Reissue: 1997
Label: Heavy Metal Records
Catalog #: HMR XD99
Genre: Crust Punk, Thrash Metal
Media: CD
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 320 kbps
Year of Reissue: 1997
Label: Heavy Metal Records
Catalog #: HMR XD99
Genre: Crust Punk, Thrash Metal
Media: CD
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 320 kbps
Track List:
1 Monolith 3:27
2 Nobodys Driving 5:03
3 The Power Remains 4:33
4 Time Bomb 4:27
5 Last Will and Testament 5:00
6 I.C.B.M. 6:05
7 Chain Reaction 5:27
8 Fallen From Grace 4:14
9 Coming Home 5:43
1 Monolith 3:27
2 Nobodys Driving 5:03
3 The Power Remains 4:33
4 Time Bomb 4:27
5 Last Will and Testament 5:00
6 I.C.B.M. 6:05
7 Chain Reaction 5:27
8 Fallen From Grace 4:14
9 Coming Home 5:43
Download: Amebix - Monolith (1987)
Download Size: 99 MB
Download Size: 99 MB
1 comments:
Thank you! I've been looking for Monolith for years.
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