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audiObelisk: Monomyth Stream “Vanderwaalskrachten” from Self-Titled Debut

One week from today, on Sept. 16, Dutch progressive heavy rockers Monomyth will release their self-titled debut LP on Burning World Records. The album (review here) is rife with patient builds, playing off synth and programming textures from Peter van der Meer and Tjerk Stoop while the alternately ambient and crunch-riffing guitars of Thomas van den Reydt run wild over the steady foundations of bassist Selwyn Slop and drummer Sander Evers. Melody is constant, the mood is progressive and contemplative, but celebratory, and whether they’re rooted in a plotted-seeming jam or spacing out into parts unknown, Monomyth retain their sense of control across the span of the album’s five extended tracks without sacrificing a feeling of vitality or ever losing sight of their overall purpose. It’s an impressive debut.

Evers‘ tenure in 35007, who worked off some of the same ideas but ultimately in a much different way — still instrumental heavy prog, but theirs was more rooted specifically in stoner rock than the new Den Haag five-piece comes off as being — should lend the band notoriety to anyone who may have heard that act. A sort of dog-whistle for the familiar. But Monomyth are quick to show a personality of their own, and ultimately come out having more in common with the smooth productions of My Sleeping Karma than Evers‘ prior outfit, and opening cut “Vanderwaalskrachten” goes a long way in showing why. A slow, atmospheric start leads to a gradual build not comprised of predictable changes from measure to measure but of an overarching progression — more the tide coming in than a dam being breached — and though there’s a moment when it “takes off,” it does so naturally, giving up none of the fluidity established earlier on as it continues to solidify around a potent, engaging groove.

And don’t be fooled, because when you think “Vanderwaalskrachten” — its Dutch name referring to the bonds between electrons and what attracts one charge to another, positive and negative — has hit its peak, that’s still yet to come. Keys step to the fore in jazz fusion style but a cacophony of hits and wailing leads ensues, and Monomyth cap the 11:41 track with circumstance enough to make the beginning of their first record among its most righteous highlights.

With thanks to the band and Burning World Records, I have the pleasure today of featuring “Vanderwaalskrachten” for streaming ahead of the release next week. Please check it out on the player below and enjoy:

Here is the Music Player. You need to installl flash player to show this cool thing!

Monomyth‘s Monomyth is due out Sept. 16, 2013 on Burning World Records. More info at the links below:

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