Review by Fran on December 20, 2020.

Navalm’s debut album is actually very fresh sounding. Short songs and samples in the intros, at first glance it looks like any other band. The first riff features an ultra fast hammer on/pull off part on the strings, that section reminded me of Cannibal Corpse’s “Staring Through the Eyes of the Dead”, the song develops over the old school sound but then they introduce a bridge that sounds kind of... hard rock (?). I’m not going to lie, composition-wise these songs are very segmented but the weirdness makes it interesting because the bits individually are strong themes, the interpretation is flawless and put together. The production is modern: crystal clear with a digitally enhanced low end, the tuning is presumably lower than standard but not much, perhaps to D.

There are bass solos everywhere, DnB beats; the band’s rhythmic base is very rich and one of its strongest points. The bass tone is also very Alex Websterish, deep but bright at the same time and lets you hear the clanky sounds of the strings hitting the frets on the fast tremolo parts. The drums sound natural and acoustic but the performance is mechanically precise, there are some syncopated paradibles incorporated to decorate the most asymmetrical bridges you can imagine. The drum rolls or fills themselves doesn’t sound so technical but some patterns are so irregular they touch the borders of jazz, without compromising the aggression on the performance’s velocity; a feature I liked a lot about this drummer.

The guitarists are just as skilled, harmonic pinches, fast tremolo parts nailed perfectly in a linear way or with triplets or whatever: you name it they play it. The slow breakdowns are ultra heavy with those palm mute power chords pouring all over the ground and the traditional old school death metal riffs they included are completely evil and unmistakable. The gutturals are very low indeed and the vocalisation somehow sounds foreign (the band is from Crimea and the lyrics are written in english) adding an extra hint of alienation to the inhuman effect of the growls. Even if it's not the best or most revolutionary experimental death metal I’ve heard, as a debut this album fulfills its purpose because it leaves you wanting to hear more material from these guys.

Rating: 7 out of 10

Review by Adam M on August 13, 2012.

This is a varied and interesting Progressive album that has an innovative edge that pushes it above the various Dream Theater and Symphony X clones that plague the genre.

There is an operatic vibe to the vocals that gives the songs a flair that elevates them above much of the pack. The singing actually recalls Slough Feg as do the song structures to a lesser extent. There is a futuristic vibe to the proceedings here that makes them stick out from typical Progressive Metal. This makes for an album that has innovative elements as well. But it still could be pushed further. There are moments where the band seems too restrained and could be pushing their material into more compelling and adventurous directions, however. Some songs, such as the folky 'Oceans' stick out from the remainder of the material, but generally there are some high and lows on this album. The vocalist has a Power Metal flavour that is slightly annoying, but fits in well with the music mostly. Instrumentally, the band is tight and well versed, but not spectacular.

Overall, "Monolith" is a solid, but not special Progressive Metal album overall.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 7
Production: 7.5
Originality: 8.5
Overall: 7.5

Rating: 7.8 out of 10

Review by Adam M on August 13, 2012.

This is a varied and interesting Progressive album that has an innovative edge that pushes it above the various Dream Theater and Symphony X clones that plague the genre.

There is an operatic vibe to the vocals that gives the songs a flair that elevates them above much of the pack. The singing actually recalls Slough Feg as do the song structures to a lesser extent. There is a futuristic vibe to the proceedings here that makes them stick out from typical Progressive Metal. This makes for an album that has innovative elements as well. But it still could be pushed further. There are moments where the band seems too restrained and could be pushing their material into more compelling and adventurous directions, however. Some songs, such as the folky 'Oceans' stick out from the remainder of the material, but generally there are some high and lows on this album. The vocalist has a Power Metal flavour that is slightly annoying, but fits in well with the music mostly. Instrumentally, the band is tight and well versed, but not spectacular.

Overall, "Monolith" is a solid, but not special Progressive Metal album overall.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 7
Production: 7.5
Originality: 8.5
Overall: 7.5

Rating: 7.8 out of 10