With their new album “Never Forever” France’s cult extreme doom metal
band MONARCH! continue their singular style of punishing ritualistic
drone doom and take it even more towards melancholic territory with
their new LP. Even more ghostly, atmospheric, and haunting than its
predecessor, 2014’s “Sabbracadaver”, “Never Forever” sees MONARCH! take
even more form and shape with their songwriting while still harnessing
that plodding, down-tuned, and crushing low-end that has become their
signature rhythmic backdrop to vocalist Emilie Bresson’s enchanting and
spellbinding vocals. With the more melancholic tone and vibe of “Never
Forever”, Bresson adapts her vocals in a more ethereal and delicate
manner likewise, while still juxtaposing them with her otherworldly
harsh shrieks.
Since 2002, MONARCH! have been France’s most recognized and active
extreme doom metal band, through countless touring all over the world
(which has recently included multiple tours of Japan within the last few
years) and delivering a myriad of releases on multiple respected labels
of some of the most punishing amplifier worship that has befallen doom
metal alongside the likes of such like-minded bands as Corrupted,
Noothgrush, Burning Witch, and Khanate. This has earned them the
reputation as one of the most recognized and respected underground
extreme doom metal bands in the scene today.