ORBIS QUADRANTIS

MONOMYTH are seriously cult, at the latest after I had the chance to enjoy them live on the stage. Founded by bassist Selwyn Slop and drummer Sander Evers they now have three guitarists in the ranks, which guarantees a lush sound in general. Eh, I'm not talking about making immense noise though. This means, they are capable of creating tension, real tension. The songs gradually establish, step by step, starting with synth patterns by preference, just take the opener Aquilo, and are offered with a looping repetitve krautrock oriented flow, more than ever. Hence this goes for an atmospheric melancholic affair most likely.

You will find only rare occasions, for example on Auster, where the hell is breaking loose, okay, to some extent at least. The album is constituted of a typical vinyl length, all the songs are provided with a playing time of nearly ten minutes hereby. A valid scheme, so much the more when the music can convince. What plays a role in any case is that the track titles are particularly referring to antique expressions regarding four wind directions. Rather important for the shipping in general. Anyway, this will confirm the album title, the cover image, and, finally, why they are presenting themselves as the 'Five Flying Dutchmen'. Wink.

According to that, hey, we are still on the opener, I'm just feeling like crossing the waves with a boat respectively ship. No, not the stormy North Sea, though quite near, we are in The Netherlands, the calmer semi-internal Ijsselmeer maybe, or the myriad canals of Frisia. I would say they are excellently catching this atmosphere. Overall there is a touching sound to state due to well-appointed guitar riffs and smart synths. Eurus then shows a Neu! respectively CAN drive somehow, with the rhythm branch in best form. Spirit-wise the last track Favonius sees them on the top of the pole. East-Northeast is the proper direction maybe. Excellent manoeuvre!