Forging an immersive, hypnotic sound that feels like floating along on a tendril of smoke, gently drifting and curling through the air, masters of doom Monolord make music to get lost in.  Their sixth album, Neverending, follows this feeling with an acclaimed production that will have you grabbing headphones to fully surround yourself and capture every detail.  The Swedish trio has been on the scene for years and took ideas, riffs, tones, and anything else that they have been experimenting with since the beginning to incorporate into this release.  Bassist Mika Häkki describes it perfectly—“The recording of this album is an example of the spirit of Monolord’s camaraderie.  We’ve looked back and seen for the first time how much we have done as a band collectively, and realized what an intense 13 years it has been.”

Monolord’s signature combination of doom, psych, stoner, and sludge remains with ebbs and flows, averse from monotony and allowing listeners to sink in.  Thomas Jäger’s echoing sludgy vocals are often heard at the same level as the instrumentation, blending in and enhancing the music without outshining, creating a compelling haze of sound.  Thematically exploring interpersonal relationships and the human experience, the emotions and lyrics are appropriately complex.

“Iodine” opens the album with a simple guitar melody and reverb building anticipation.  This opening riff is a nod to Mike Scheidt of YOB.  It crescendos and expands with bass and drums before vocals are introduced.  “You Bastard” follows with a groovy melody counteracted by lyrics about suicide and the perspective of both a suicidal person and the people abandoned after their death.  Rhythm section with drummer Esben Willems and bassist Mika Häkki take the spotlight in the last moments of the track with pounding beats momentarily letting up for a quick riff, creating a push and pull and reflecting the tension heard in the lyrics.  “Inside A Collider” is an emotional doom ballad reminiscent of Pallbearer.  “Crystal Bridge” features softer percussion including wood block.  There are quieter moments with the vocals taking the forefront and a nice balance between calm, hazy psychedelic rock, and blasting doom riffs.

“Oozing Wound” has a more classic stoner doom feel with a marching melody throughout.  It is easy to become absorbed in this track and its subtle repetition.  “The Masque” and “Invisible” are two catchy pieces with the former sounding more upbeat with almost a classic rock feel and the latter is back to stoner doom with crunchy riffs and soaring tones.  The album closes with “It’s Neverending” featuring vocals from Jörgen Sandström (Entombed, Grave, Domedagen, Firespawn).  It is the longest, spanning just under nine minutes.  Playing with death metal, doom, and incorporating all previously heard styles interwoven, it is an appropriate closer.  It is very cool to hear death growls on a Monolord song and hear the dynamic shifts between quieter moments with guitar and Jäger’s clean vocals, and Sandström’s anguished growls with heavier riffs.  The song is powerful and the duality of the two vocalists and shifts in tone make for an interesting and epic track.

The band worked with producer Sylvia Massy, who is known for her work with Tool, System of a Down, Johnny Cash, and many other artists.  Massy created a safe and welcoming environment for the trio to comfortably release their full creativity while recording in her studio in Ashland, Oregon.  The freedom felt by Monolord and the expert guidance from Massy is heard in this album.  Even with heavier lyrics, you can feel the joy in the performance and the passion that went behind each detail.  It is clear that this is an album the band is proud of and they absolutely should be.  It is a perfect nod to their 13 years in a clean and beautifully produced package.  I thought it important to mention production as I love to see such support in a studio and artists feeling unrestrained.  Reading quotes from the band about how safe and comfortable they felt in the studio is honestly heartwarming and makes me even more excited to talk about Neverending.  Being a longtime fan of Monolord, I am happy to hear new songs that fit in fully with their discography while standing out as a refined and sharpened album.

— Angela

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Neverending is available May 29 on Relapse Records. For more information on Monolord, please visit their official website.