Album Review: Monumentum Damnati – In the Tomb of a Forgotten King (GrimmDistribution)
Monumentum Damnati is an international melodic doom/death and dark metal project whose leaders are based in Eastern Europe. The band finally took shape in 2018, although the material for their debut album “In the Tomb of a Forgotten King” was composed over several years.
The idea of creating a group was born under unusual circumstances. Fate brought Abhoth и Thanatos to the walls of a psychiatric clinic, where the musicians got acquainted, found much in common in their vision of the structure of the world and art, mainly music. They decided to create a conceptual anonymous project, revealing the gloomy side of human nature.
Thus, having returned to the society and having assembled a team of professional experienced musicians, they recorded an album in 2019, the mixing and mastering of which was made by Filippos Koliopanos (Ocean Of Grief, Greece). The booklet was designed by a modern artist / designer from Belarus Olga Kann. The vocalist of the Minsk death / doom project Beyond the Darkness Mikhail Stefanovich was also invited to cooperate, as well as some other musicians, who wish to remain anonymous.
Now, the work is complete and In the Tomb of a Forgotten King will be released on March 30th 2020 via GrimmDistribution.
A dark keyboard melody (The Shining) draws us into the Tomb of a Forgotten King and the evil that awaits us in the form of Monumentum Damnati. Evil that is glorious in all its might and terrifying in all its power.
My Bloody JJ is what crawls forth first, a ferociously heavy effort layered with gothic keys to add a really strong sense of the epic to it. It’s deliciously dark but also so damn rhythmic. Something that is proved to not be a one off with the following There’s No Place for Life. The slower, doomier approach does begin to drain the life out bit by bit. Although it’s something most will welcome as Monumentum Damnati do it with such care.
With an even darker, heavier and more impactful doom sound, Anabiosis would be too much to bear if it wasn’t for the continued excellence of the gothic tones. A longer trawl through the bleak horror of Monumentum Damnati’s sound.
Mental stability being called into question, the title track ramps up the feeling of becoming disconnected to reality. Before Infernal Sun hits hard with the doomiest of riffs and Falling Snow lifts the spirits with just a sprinkling of dreamy melody amongst Monumentum Damnati’s continued heavy dominance.
With a far catchier effort, the penultimate track is daring in how much of a foot-tapper it is. The beat of Sleepless Anger really getting under the skin and dishing up one of the strongest tracks on the album. All before an excellent debut ends in heavy melody-drive style. Exorcist proving to be just as strong as everything that came before and adding the final stamp of excellence to proceedings.
Monumentum Damnati – In the Tomb of a Forgotten King Full Track Listing:
1. The Shining
2. My Bloody JJ
3. There’s No Place For Life
4. Anabiosis
5. In The Tomb Of A Forgotten King
6. Infernal Sun
7. Falling Snow
8. Sleepless Anger
9. Exorcist
Links
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Monumentum Damnati - In the Tomb of a Forgotten King (GrimmDistribution)
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The Final Score - 9.5/10
9.5/10