Substack: https://monumentsinruin.substack.com
Another week of running to keep up! As previously noted, it is a great time to be a music fan. Amazing music seems to be dripping out of every corner of the world and the internet has allowed us privilege in the moment that we can share and discover so actively.
New Album Releases May 8
Restless Spirit by Restless Spirit / Magnetic Eye Records
doom metal metal rock stoner metal stoner rock doom progressive sludge stoner New York
Solid heavy rock from New York. Built with a slash of stoner rock, heavy metal and a glass raised high. This one fells good from start to finish.
PASSAGES by Endless Floods / Permafrost Records, Araki Records, Yoyodyne Records
metal ambient rock cosmic doom metal heavy rock shoegaze Bordeaux
This album sounds BIG. Powerfully emotional and crushing in all of the best ways. The multi vocal overlay feels warm and seductive while the vibe of the music is grab them gently and slowly squeeze until we lay broken. Great stuff!
True Norwegian Blackgrass by Twin Serpent
alternative alt-country blackgrass folk punk punk rock space country Trondheim
Artists who are willing to put it all on the table and sacrifice themselves for the beauty of art and their passion within it is all we can ask for. This record feels so welcoming and immersive. It brings to mind a two week run of sweaty club performances, crowds tightly assembled and good times being had by all.
No Comply by Baratro / Supernatural Cat
punk rock noise post-hardcore sludge Milan
Prepare for a newly imagined noise rock attack from these titans of the craft. There are special treats packed in for long time fans of art rock as this album, much like previous releases, crushes, punishes and devastates. Imagine a sledgehammer breaking rocks across your forehead. Pounding rhythms and unforgiving verbal assaults.
Marrow Part II: A Fire Through The Ether by Thrownness / Raging Planet Records
experimental metal doom metal post-metal sludge Lisbon
This is a slow builder and not to be taken lightly. Angry multi vocal delivery and swirling musical vibes that would fit well in the arena of Aaron Turner. Tons of weight landing here. Big riffs, drifting alternate guitar vibes and consistent abrasion. Another example of buy the ticket, take the ride. This one covers all of the heavy ground a fan of atmospheric sludge and post-metal is going to be looking for this week.
New Video Drops May 1 - 8
Elder - Capture/Release
Fans of psychedelic rock take note. If this is a new name for you then my excitement is amplified. Elder continue to push themselves deeper into a progressive world of prog, stoner and psych that seems to be a slight step ahead of most others flirting with the genre.
Wailin Storms - The Arsonist (Official Video)
The sounds of sweet Appalachia drift delicately from this tune. A somber note of love and loss for the native region of yesterday. While I can go into my own experience of where the vibe in this music comes from, it is best not to project it upon others. This mood, blues-soaked psychedelic beauty hits heavy on the emotional elements and triggers reference to a band name well represented.
SUNSWARM - WITH YOUR BEAUTIFUL MIND YOU DESERVE MUCH BETTER THAN THIS
This is a fitting follow up to the previous track. Now that we have pulled you deep into the muck and dirt of those underling issues, its time to absolutely crush everything around them. With a slow start, this track encapsulates a heavy, abrasive, angry industrial punch that feels like releasing a deep breath to leave the mind swimming in a relaxed, narcotic state.
HANRY - Her Crown, Her Empire (Live at Grabuge)
Though I may generally shy away from choosing a live video here over a concept, this is so well done that it stands firm in its presentation as the concept. The post-rock vibes are delivered in a flawless way. It showcases the nature of the band as the music washes over the listener with warm waves and memories of the rising sun on a cool morning.
mclusky “as a dad”
Its uncomfortable, awkward to watch and endless fun. So many things are tossed in the blender here without getting in the way. A solid rock jam with a dark sense of humor to capitalize on the snotty vibes of the music it represents.
…is this the end?




