Mono is back with another banger of an LP. Straddling the line between melodic heavy metal and emotional post-rock Mono nails it again. As most will tell you, Mono is a band to be seen live but their recorded output is always spot on. From the machine gun percussion on the opening track “Riptide”, mono takes us on another emotional journey into the psyche. At times serene and contemplative and at others tumultuous and aggressive we depart on a rollercoaster of emotions that fits these times as much as any of the recent releases I have come across. Tracks like “Heaven In A Wild Flower” leave you pondering with its almost ambient and pastoral feel with its orchestration and subtlety before diving into what I would call a typical Mono post-rock piece in “To See A World”. ”Innocence” is an eight-minute epic track that builds and builds to a massive sound. Pilgrimage of the Soul takes Mono’s usual style and builds on it with electronics and at times a faster pace than we are used to creating a whirlwind of organized chaos. I have heard this release described as contemplative and subdued and I’m not sure that such descriptions indicate a thorough listening. The sound here is massive and while it certainly creates emotional responses, subdued is not the descriptor I would use. I can’t wait to see this performed live when Mono visits the Turf Club again but that’s a long way off. All I can really say is set the tonearm on “Hold Infinity In The Palm Of Your Hand” and drift off blissfully for a twelve-minute voyage. In my opinion, this is their best effort yet.
You should be able to pick this up anywhere. Released by Temporary Residence and Pelagic
