Soundwave 2015 Lineup: Monuments

The Soundwave 2015/Music Feeds First Wave is answering the call to go djent and can now count transcontinental metallers Monuments in its ranks as the latest act added to the Soundwave 2015 lineup. They join a bill that already features pop punk act Patent Pending, Butcher Babies and Coldrain.

Australian audiences are familiar with Monument’s powerful blend of djent and progressive metal despite the London-based outfit having never visited Australia. They’re in demand too, with barely a month passing since the conclusion of Soundwave 2014 before fans were pestering AJ Maddah to see the boundary-pushing outfit on the 2015 roster.

Who are they?

Forming in 2010, Monuments immediately found a rabid fan base with the release of their debut full-length album, Gnosis, in 2012. The band have consistently garnered praise for their brainy yet song-focused approach to heavy music, bridging the progressive metal chasm like few others can.

With the recent addition of vocal powerhouse Chris Barretto, formerly of progressive metal vanguards Periphery, Monuments continue to add layers and unique dynamics to the ever-evolving sound that has seen them become one of the most intriguing bands operating in heavy music today.

“In a sea of DeathDjentCore bands, Monuments are one of the few that set the bar higher for themselves with every release and set a benchmark for similar music to be ranked by… the live rendition of ‘The Amanuensis’ would be an experience to live for, to say the least.” – The Circle Pit

Watch: Monuments – The Alchemist

What do they sound like?

“Music is music,” says guitarist John Browne. “It has the same 12 notes as any other music. The only difference is the way it’s expressed, so we use pretty silly words to try and explain the sound.” His “silly words” to describe Monuments? Progressive metal “with a huge dose of groove.”

It’s clear then that Monuments don’t limit themselves. Their sound encapsulates everything unique and vital about heavy music, while incorporating influences and instrumentation from an array of other genres, such as Barretto’s wicked saxophone chops.

“There is plenty going on, the spectrum is broad. There is brutality, there is precision musicianship, there is aural onslaught, but there is also beauty, majesty and melody. Moments of dark but soothing ambience amid the carnage that surrounds them.” – SF Media

Watch: Monuments – Origin of Escape (Official Lyric Video)

What are they like live?

Critics have long reserved particular praise for Monuments as a live act and fans have grown accustomed to shows where constant jumping and moshing is expected from the band as much as the audience – and they manage to pull it off without sacrificing any of their technical prowess.

However, the band apply the same level of craftsmanship to their performances as they do to their albums and strive to create a varying atmosphere for each show. Every set is built on peaks and valleys that range from sweaty, downtuned chaos, to proggy displays of technical wizardy.

“They may be the only band of the original djent scene… who genuinely sound better live than on record because they’re the most straight-ahead. Monuments songs are based more on slamming and heavy grooves than they are layers, progressive arragements and atmospherics. It allows the band to throw themselves about with chaotic abandon while still being incredibly tight.” – Post Blog As

Watch: Monuments – Admit Defeat at Euroblast Festival 2013

For fans of…

Monuments have drawn comparisons to former touring partners like Born Of Osiris, After The Burial, and The HAARP Machine, as well as similarly genre-defying progressive outfits like recent Down Under visitors Periphery, as well as TesseracT, Volumes, Intervals, and Fellsilent.

The band’s rich and varied sonic pallet and their unmissable live shows mean there’s something to appeal to everyone from heavy metal purists, to fans of post-hardcore and metalcore, as well as progressive die-hards and those just looking for an entertaining and eye-opening live experience.

Watch: Monuments – I, The Creator