MONOLYTH: We've Caught The Sun (THRASH): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

15 years ago, and after some experiments, Monolyth released its first album "Catch The Sun". To celebrate the anniversary of this first record in 2023, the band has rolled up its sleeves to offer a small facelift that will be an opportunity to (re)discover its 10 energetic tracks.

It is indeed this qualifier that jumps to the ears as soon as the play button is pressed. 38 minutes on the counter that laid at the time the foundations of what would become the Monolyth that will deliver in 2018 the solid "A Bitter End / A Brave New World" with its more progressive side. "We Caught The Sun" is therefore the re-recording of the 2008 album in order to give it a more modern patina by the mixing in particular. Compared to the original record, few things have been changed except for some riffs and the drum parts adapted to the new drummer.

It is however a rather stretched title which welcomes the listener. 'The Neverending Beginning' opens with incantations before exploding everything in its path due to a rhythmic steamroller of a formidable efficiency. The song plays on the contrasts between the rather death verses and a totally irresistible and very catchy chorus. The instrumental passage is embellished with synthetic touches sounding 80s. We find this same structure on the excellent 'My Blackest Days' close to a Soilwork.

The continuation of the album confirms a direction aiming at the effectiveness while avoiding any bluster! The bludgeoning is of setting on the rhythmic plan while being varied by this already mastered use of the alternation between the brutal and melodic passages ('Insomnia', 'Wasted') which will be even more developed in the following album. The vocal lines are impressive, going from screamed to clear like a letter to the post office. As often for a first album, the influences (In Flames...) were felt and were not erased by choice of the group at the time of this . However, the original album had the merit of laying the foundations of a Monolyth which, contrary to what its semantics indicates, has not stood still and has been able to evolve.

The laudable goal of offering a rejuvenation to 'Catch The Sun', while not denaturing it, is completely achieved. It is the testimony of a so-called "youthful" record that needed a tribute supported by a more current mix underlining its intrinsic qualities. After this highlight of an old album, we are waiting for the next Monolyth album with great impatience. - Official website

MONOLYTH

WE'VE CAUGHT THE SUN

AUTRE LABEL

THRASH