I adored Antiserum, but the twelve tracks on Monument are more based on brute guitar riffs and hard-as-nails drum grooves, dark keyboard hooks and a perfect mix of growls and clear vocals (with a new singer): some in English, some in German!
Anniversary time! For 25 years now, Germany’s gothic metal act Crematory ruled the metal world! Since the band was founded in 1991, they have released twelve studio albums, in addition to a number of live recordings, singles, EPs and compilations.
But before we go any further you have to take notice of some important info and I quote:’ When the work on Monument commenced in spring 2015, a personnel issue had to be settled in the Crematory camp: Matthias Hechler, guitarist, clear voice and a style-defining member for 17 years, had left the band for private reasons. That his departure went off without animosity or internal quarrels was confirmed by Matthias in an interview on the Live At Wacken 2014 DVD. Following his decision, Crematory made a virtue out of necessity, enlisting two successors: Tosse Basler (Scapegoat, Avalanche) joined the fold as rhythm guitarist and clear vocalist, and Rolf Munkes is Crematory’s new lead guitarist. “Tosse and Rolf have brought a breath of fresh air to the band, they’ve really inspired us with their powerful style and phat guitar sounds,” rejoices drummer Markus Jüllich, who composed the songs again with producer Kristian ´Kohle` Bonifer before going on to produce them together at the Kohlekeller Studio.’ Hungarian artist Peter Sallai is responsible for the cool artwork (check it out)! But hey, let’s get back to the music:
Misunderstood starts pretty fueled up: a perfect mix between the electronics raw heavy metal and Felix Stass’s raw growls. Somehow I hear a slightly different sound, must have been the new guys influence, that and a slice of Rammstein! The raging feels real and the chorus is pretty. Haus mit Garten is sung in German and for the first time we hear both voices together. The lyrics are pretty dark, but that is what I can say from all the lyrics on this album (I already listened a lot to the album by the time I write this). I adore the heavy sound, but also the calmer and more melodic parts. It’s simply the best of both worlds! Die So Soon is the first song where Tasse takes the vocal leads and deliver something bitter sweet. I adore this one, just as the perfect drive and the catchy chorus! It’s clear that Tasse has his rightful place in this legendary band and that is a real success!
Ravens Calling stars almost like a typical VNV Nation track, but luckily backings and guitars jump in and changes it into an almost symphonic metal track filled with lots of pathos and proving that Tasse is a great singer! Eiskalt has a Rammstein feel: hard and heavy guitars, drums hammering and great electronics. This time it’s Felix who has the lead vocals. It’s hard to stand still during this one! Nothing sounds like melodic death metal until we get the backings and changes into a softer track with a catchy chorus. It’s a song filled with rage and pain. Before I Die sounds like melodic metal (with some breakbeats and other co electronics). I see people with helmets and swords, ready for an epic battle! The mixed vocals gives it the pathos needed, whilst the instruments colors the battle!
Falsche Tränen sounds like the perfect match between VNV NATION, Diary of Dreams and Rammstein. It’s Electro/Gothic/metal filled with rage and lots of emotions. The chorus is pretty easy to catch up with, so yes: one is singing it as extra backings. Everything is a real melodic/symphonic track with the perfect clean voice leading it, whilst the brutal voice brings in the rage and desperation! I also cherish the piano, giving it that special touch. I hear some melancholia (and yes: I’m hooked to it). My Love Within sounds melancholic, melodic and is filled with desperation! It’s a pearl, with a touch of a magical piano and sharp guitars. Die letzte Schlacht is a last adrenaline shot! It’s hammering time! Save Me starts pretty narrative, becomes pretty emotional. The pathos reigns! The chorus is again very catchy! The sound is pretty soft (like a ballad) and melancholic. For me it’s a great end for a perfect album!
I must say I absolutely adore this album and their new direction! I just hope that the fans will follow or will at least give them a chance so that they can slowly grow and spread the wings to conquer new hearts! I can’t say it enough how much I like this new sound and Tasse is really great!
Tracklist:
DigiPak:
1. Misunderstood
2. Haus mit Garten
3. Die So Soon
4. Ravens Calling
5. Eiskalt
6. Nothing
7. Before I Die
8. Falsche Tränen
9. Everything
10. My Love Within
11. Die letzte Schlacht
12. Save Me
So you’d better mark 15 April 2016 in your diary if you don’t want to miss the release of Monument and get yourself in the mood for the group’s upcoming shows. Appearances at the Bang Your Head Festival in Balingen, the Wave-Gothic-Meeting in Leipzig and the Metalfest in Pilsen have already been confirmed, so you’d better get ready for a truly monumental Crematory experience!
Line-Up:
Felix Stass – vocals
Rolf Munkes – guitar
Tosse Basler - guitar
Harald Heine – bass
Markus Jüllich – drums
Katrin Jüllich - keyboards
