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Grand Magus: Monument (remastered)

You've probably heard the saying "there must be someting in the water over there in Sweden" a million times, but more and more you really start to wonder if there might be some truth in that statement. Not only do the Swedes crank out some serious progressive rock as well as death metal, but this country is now responsible for some of the best 70's styled classic metal & doom bands going today. Leading the pack are the powerful trio Grand Magus, whose sophomore release from 2003 Monument is now being remastered & reissued by Metal Blade Records, just in time to celebrate the bands excellent 2010 winner Hammer in the North.

In the two years since Grand Magus, the band honed their sound a bit and started to inject some classic metal elements to go along with their doom & psychedelic influences. Opening cut "Ulvaskall (Varyr)" takes its cue from Sabbath's Masters of Reality, a crushing example of massive 70's styled doom metal filled with JB's thunderous riffs. "Summer Solstice" is a more upbeat track, and indicative of the direction the band would continue to go in, as they discover more classic hard rock & metal influences, with ripping lead guitar work and soulful vocals from JB. Other standouts on this killer collection include the rampaging "Brotherhood of Sleep", the two epic doomsters "Baptised in Fire" and "He Who Seeks... Shall Find", and the psych-metal freakout that is "Food of the Gods". There's just no shortage of massive riff-o-rama to be found anywhere on Monument, and the rhythm section of Fox & Trisse pummel with their plodding wall of sound.

Monument ultimately delivers stunning doom and a nice balance of melodic 70's styled metal & hard rock, for a record that digs into your brain deep and refuses to let go. Which pretty much sums up just about any release from Grand Magus, so if you haven't yet checked this band out, it's about time you do so. Metal Blade has done a great job on this one-the remaster job is crystal clear, making a powerful release even that more commanding.


Track Listing
1. Ulvaskall (Varyr)
2. Summer Soltice
3. Brotherhood of Sleep
4. Baptised In Fire
5. Chooser of the Slain (Valfader)
6. Food of the Gods
7. He Who Seeks... Shall Find

Added: January 29th 2011
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 2207
Language: english

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