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monoinc_vivahades
Artist: Mono Inc.
Title: Viva Hades
Genre: Alternative / Gothic / Rock
Release Date: 18th March 2011
Label: NoCut (Alive)


Album Review

With four studio albums, several tours and shows on the biggest dark music festivals, Hamburg based formation MONO INC. has surely gained some weight in the scene. Though the band’s name derives from the word Monomania, which means partially insane, they proved to be completely insane on stage.

The opener ‘Admiration Hill’ introduces rich and pushing, elating and solemn sound of the album together with the leading melody, which as an interlink will imperceptibly escort you through the whole album. From the very beginning MONO INC. shout their clarion call: “And so we draw our weapons On admiration hill And so we draw our weapons now ‘cause it’s kill or be killed.”, and they sound convincingly enough to follow them. ‘Symphony Of Pain’ catches up the uprising line with irresistible drive and powerful vocals, undoubtedly manifesting the next greatest hit of the band. A disturbing rhythm sets in and the dramatic ‘A Love That Never Dies’ comes with gentle acoustic guitar chords, solemn choir and gothic female vocals underlined with thick bass line giving the final touch to the song. ‘Viva Hades’ does have a kind of anthemic refrain, the way it should be, yet it’s not the strongest track of the album. The next ‘Potter’s Field’ is a mellow ballad, which slowly enriches its sound from pure acoustic to the dense mixture of electric guitars, piano, strings and solo bagpipes.

‘C’est La Vie’ raises the tempo again, though it is being dropped in the middle of the song by beautiful acoustic guitar solo. The ambitious and vigorous, emphatic ‘Revenge’ breaks into your ears with the catchy looped sequence that successfully sets off energetic guitar riffs and perfectly contrasting voices of Martin Engler and Katha Mia, turns into electronic organ backed by the tubby pulsating rhythm and goes into high gear in the end of the song. The next ‘When All My Cards Are Played’ cools the heat presenting sad acoustic ballad with tender piano caressing the deep vocals and delicate flute embellishments. ‘The Best Of You’ is more optimistic, just as ‘Never Say Die’, the title of which speaks for itself. And finally ‘Reminiscence’ - the perfect closer, commencing with the crackling of a fire, doleful bells tolling, marching rhythm and monotonous low voice to bring back the motif from the first ‘Admiration Hill’, but this time as a stately and grandiose triumphal hymn.

MONO INC. has produced spectacular and highly-qualitative album, extremely solid and very smooth to listen, enthusiastic and encouraging. So, join the battle together with them! Viva Hades!


Tracklist

01. Admiration Hill
02. Symphony Of Pain
03. A Love That Never Dies
04. Viva Hades
05. Potter’s Field
06. C’est La Vie
07. Revenge
08. When All My Cards Are Played
09. The Best Of You
10. Never Say Die
11. Reminiscence


Line-up

Martin Engler - vocals
Manuel Antoni - bass, vocals
Carl Fornia - guitars, vocals
Katha Mia - drums, vocals


Websites

http://www.mono-inc.com / http://www.myspace.com/monoincmusic


Cover Picture

monoinc_vivahades


Rating

Music: 9
Sound: 9
Extras: -
Total: 9 / 10


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