Search - Grand Magus :: Monument

GRAND MAGUS Monument

Christopher J. Dillard | Midgard | 04/28/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"On 'Monument', the sophomore full-length from Grand Magus, we see this Swedish doom-metal trio truly finding its way. Having explored the more rocking end of the doom genre on their self-titled debut, this recording takes a far heavier and grumpier turn with more of a sludge-doom approach. That's actually an understatement, this is possibly the heaviest slab of doom I've heard in ten years. Forget Electric Wizard. Yes I really just said that, forget Electric Wizard, because this album makes 'Come My Fanatics' sound like The Wallflowers. This is full-on creeping, crushing doom like you've never heard. A monstrous guitar sound, massive riffs, skullrattling rhythms, and JB's roaringly powerful but melodic and soulful voice all amalgamate into one indescribably heavy creation. The arrangements are superb, when they aren't harnessing the pure energy of slow-motion doomy groove such as on 'Summer Solstice', they are churning out huge song structures which build into enormous God-like crescendos. Check out a song like 'He Who Seeks, Shall Find' and you'll know what I mean. And the riffs, by The Gods, THE RIFFS! This band has found the sanctity of the almighty riff and made it holy again. These riffs sound like they could be the b*stard love-child of Black Sabbath and Solitude Aeturnus, and if that means nothing to you then you've got some heavy-metal homework to do. And let's not forget the conceptual content, when it comes to the lyrics this also qualifies as Viking metal which is nothing short of a breath of fresh air. Songs like 'Valfadher(Chooser of the Slain)', and 'Ulvastalt(Vargr)' exude far more Nordic ambience than you'll hear in ten strait hours of Norwegian black metal. Lines such as "You can betray me, the pain won't break me. Here I stand I'll never fall. WarGlad will take me, no mourning on my dying day. Let me burn and enter the Hall" would send shirvers down the spine of a 10th century Norse skald. These dudes have read up on their native mythology, that's for sure. The crisp, thick production on this record is perfect for bringing out the bone-crushing quality evoked by such weighty music. Trust me, crank this baby and watch the paint peel off the walls. Yup, it's THAT heavy. But don't take my word for it, hear this record and believe. If you're a fan of quality doom, you simply cannot afford to pass this record up. The BEST doom I've heard in many long years. GODLY!"

HEAVY DUTY MONSTER ROCK!

MARK CHOMA | COLLINSVILLE IL.USA | 04/27/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Unpretentious,Heavy,Full of cool riffs.Yes,Grand Magus does it again.As good as the self- titled Grand Magus.100% better than any so called new rock bands.Shades of Black Sabbath,yes,but these cats have theyre own style.Im glad theres still bands who havent forgotten what it means to rock.Buy this CD.Thanks for your consideration.Stomp"