Do you hark back to early 1990s, to the time where melodic Swedish death/doom metal was new and shiny? Them bands... They've often gone and drifted very, very far from their roots, right?! Think about Katatonia, Dark Tranquillity, Opeth! If you played their first and last albums to someone noob to them, I am pretty sure they would not think they are by a same band in any case.

There are bands that keep that fantastic sound alive, and Mexican Phobos Monolith (go search that in the net, it is fascinating stuff!) are one of them. Three aforementioned Swedish legends' influence can be heard in PM's music, and they do not even try the slightest to hide that fact. And there's no need to do so, in any case if you're wearing your influences proudly and respectfully. And PM really do so.

Melancholic and charming lead guitar are a fundamental building block of melodic death metal inspired by Nordics, just like growled vocals are. You won't get the melodiousness from the vocals, that's for sure, on this release; they're keeping it death metal. Solemn melodies glide, echoing like bygone generations' distress, above crunchy rhythm guitar, and vivid drumming (double kicks, cymbal tricks, tom drum beats). The vocals are low throaty and powerful growling, not unlike Gorefest's Jan-Chris de Koeijer used to squeeze out of his lungs. The bass guitar is rather soft and therefore a tad obscure. Some ethereal keyboard mats and melodies are heard (especially during the last song, which perhaps sounds slightly more modern, bringing Insomnium and such to mind). The music sounds like it is coming from 1990s also via production; it is quite clear as the whole and drums may be a bit flat, but it has that kind guitar sounds, definitely.

Sometimes a song can be a well-rolling, rather simplistic entity, like the uptempo opener and 'Credo (Amaranthine'). Then there are slow-to-mid-tempo songs. While still rolling on well, they bring more doomy atmosphere in. It never gets stagnated, though. But I should alert you about the amount of melodiousness, which at times does feel a bit excessive; a melody after a melody... and somewhat samey they can be, too. Plus, there basically are no guitar solos, but they are these very melodies. With none of these songs, the band really do not go very progressive, and that can be seen from their lengths, really. I found that the song structures (due to a melody after a melody) were easier to fathom when reading the lyrics, which are mainly about destruction in galactic scopes.

The CD edition was released in the last year's June by Pest Records of Romania as a very limited edition of 300 (4-page booklet with the lyrics). Of course it is 21st century, and the EP is available digitally, too, for all you melodic Swedish death metal maniax! I strongly steer you towards Phobos Monolith and this fine little release. Go find it before the light is totally faded.

Rating: 7½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
07/20/2021 19:37