By: Anders

Posted: Sep 9, 2005

A new Danish black metal band has risen and here we have the first release from the quartet Monomania which is lead by guitarist and main songwriter Nattesjæl. The band emerged on this very earth in 2003 and released its first release, the promo "Dødelandets Åbenbaring" in 2004, this is the release I am going to dissect now.

3 tracks of pretty varied black metal is what we get on this release. The roots are in the old school Scandinavian scene, with a nice melodic touch, the melodic leads sweeps across the songs and make them atmospheric and mysterious. The base of the songs are solid, the noisy bass often works as the rhythm guitar and keeps the rhythm in check, together with the drums. The drums deliver quite a deal of double bass thundering and more quiet parts and some blastbeats here and there. The drum sound is nice dry and natural but still hard hitting. The scream is grim and raspy, not that interesting and special, it actual works best when it's low and not too fast, that brings a lot to the overall atmosphere.

3 compositions that are making promises for a good future, the band has some good, although classic ideas within the genre, but their music work, and invokes a deal of coldness and darkness as black metal should. I'm especially keen on the enchanting melodies, the pace shifts and the vocals when they aren't too far ahead in the sound picture. The sound on the demo is also good and fitting, dry and organic with some punch and power behind the musicians' performances. The band should as we speak be in the middle of recording new material together with producer Ynleborgaz of Angangtyr and Holmgang. It is going to be interesting to hear after this release, I know I am keen on hearing new material from Monomania and to follow their rise to power.

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