I had been dreading listening to this band for several reasons;
(1) the recent deluge of stoner metal bands has been very disappointing - halfway through the most of the second songs of new bands and I'm already clicking delete. Normally the vocals kills it for me, as they are either average, typical, inappropriate or growled which is a total turn off for me.
(2) Monobrow is hardly a name that inspires confidence, and seems to be foreboding on this album being sub par.
(3) Monobrow gave me the impression with their name choice that they were a joke/comedy band that doesnt take itself too seriously.
(4) instrumental music has to have that something extra which replaces the missing lead singer and this normally means a lead guitarist who plays too much over the melody, or uses a lead guitar to emulate where a singer would "sing".
I'm therefore very happy to annouce that I am wrong on all four counts. Their third album Big Sky, Black Horse is a terrific find and is available on Bandcamp. Their previous two albums are definitely going to be on my want list. 2010 Monobrow and 2012 Bennington Triangle Blues.
Here is a band that knows how to groove, how to get your head banging and your body moving. Groove stoner metal is enjoyable and a great way to demonstrate to all our non rock friends just how good music can be.
Choosing to release this without a vocalist enables the band to focus on the music which is mostly fast songs which catch you at the first riff and drag, push and delight you along the way. The opening track, Cicada is over 6 minutes long and afterwards I felt I could have listened to that for another 6 minutes. A galloping song that is as close as you get to groove stoner rock.
I highly recommend their album and give it a
7.5/10 mighty work indeed.
I have now sourced their first two albums and look forward to listening to their earlier material.
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