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Necromonkey - A Glimpse of Possible Endings CD (album) cover

A GLIMPSE OF POSSIBLE ENDINGS

Necromonkey

Eclectic Prog


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bhikkhu
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR
Honorary Collaborator
5 stars While we lament the departure of Mattias Olsson from Änglagård, it would be a crime for an artist of his creativity to stagnate. The decision to end that chapter and start a new one with friend David Lundberg was the best thing that ever happened to him and his fans. In an interview he once remarked about getting angry when hearing another artist pushing past boundaries and wondering why he wasn't doing the same. Combine that yearning with his recent Gösta Berlings Saga experiences and we have Necromonkey.

"Necroplex" was the premier album and featured only the two founders. It was experimental, interesting and very likeable yet felt more like a warm up than a fully realized concept. Just about the time people were discovering this new band existed and coinciding with their first U.S. tour, "A Glimpse of Possible Endings" was released. Lundgren and Olsson had the goods this time and judging by the long roster of guest musicians brought in they knew it too.

Don't look for anything you can easily pin down because it won't be heard. There are some similarities to Gösta Berlings Saga, which is understandable given the inclusion of David's band mate Einar Baldursson and "Glue Works" guest musician Leo Svensson-Sander. Other than that Necromonkey stands alone. Elements of techno, space, avant, alt-rock and symphonic and lounge jazz have been blended together along with a unique perspective that only these musicians can bring to the table.

The album brings forth different moods and styles in a seamless, almost hypnotic fashion. Continuously engaging the listener with subtle tensions is the key. "(A) Glimpse (Of Possible Endings)" is the most raucous number yet even here they show a delicate touch rather than a heavy hand. What could be most impressive are the constant surprises. Just when you think you may know where a particular piece is going or what the next track may have in store, the tables are turned.

At a time when finding something truly new seems almost impossible, discovering a band like Necromonkey is more than welcome. New might be enough but music this satisfying also energizes the soul. Even after multiple spins it still pulls you in. Mattias and David have created a landscape so captivating that the listener may just want to build a little cabin there in which to reside. "A Glimpse of Possible Endings" is the best album of 2014 and Necromonkey the band of the future.

Report this review (#1317130)
Posted Saturday, November 29, 2014 | Review Permalink
LearsFool
PROG REVIEWER
5 stars Here's something tantalising about Necromonkey's work: instruments played on their albums include a bass played with a wine goblet, and a bowed vibraphone. Sold? Well, the band is two multi-instrumentalists who love bringing out highly skilled friends to make some of the best music of the decade. Within a single track they will switch instruments at will. The aforementioned bizarre instruments and instrumentation factors many a time. By the end, we are left with a varied and impressive masterpiece. Highlight is definitely the epic title track; nay, suite, where all sorts of great and ever changing directions from dozens of instruments, built around a killer main theme driven by a cool bass, comes together into a breathtaker. Just listen to the band's live in studio run-through of it and be amazed. Nothing can be compared to the band in terms of style or substance. All I can say is get this and prepare for a masterful, eclectic journey.
Report this review (#1317266)
Posted Saturday, November 29, 2014 | Review Permalink
Windhawk
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR
Honorary Collaborator
4 stars Swedish project NECROMONKEY combines the talents of composers and musicians Mattias Olsson and David Lundberg, with backgrounds from the bands Anglagard and Gosta Berlings Saga respectively. They have recorded one live album and two studio productions to date. "A Glimpse of Possible Endings" is the most recent of the latter, and was released through the band's own 'label' Roth Handle Recordings in 2014.

Necromonkey as of 2014 comes across as an entity fond of exploring experimental music that pairs of delicate, acoustic instrument motifs with subtly twisted and distorted effects produced by electronics, synthesizers and keyboards, with an additional affection for vintage keyboard sounds and layered, Mellotron-driven majestic soundscapes, highlighted in the second half of this production. An album that merits a check by those fond of experimental instrumental music that defies common boundaries, has a heart in progressive rock, uses plenty of challenging sounds and effects, but in a total package that comes across as generally appealing and relatively easy both on the mind and ears. I'd suggest that ardent Mellotron and Chamberlin fans should be regarded as a key audience.

Report this review (#1397693)
Posted Sunday, April 12, 2015 | Review Permalink
Mellotron Storm
PROG REVIEWER
3 stars 3.5 stars. This is NECROMONKEY's second studio album released in 2014. I have the pleasure of owning their debut which grew to be a 4.5 star album for me. This one is another beast and I have to agree with Sagi who also feels this is a definite step down from the first one. Having said all that there are some killer moments on this one, it's just that there are also passages that I'm not into at all. So it's a little inconsistent in relation to my tastes.

"There Seems To Be Knife Stains In Your Blood" opens with drums as the guitar then piano join in. It's pretty to cool to hear that spacey theremin before 1 1/2 minutes. It all winds down late. "The Sheltering Waters" has a sound to it that I really enjoy including guitar, atmosphere and electronics. It's melancholic and trippy as it drifts along. "The Counterfeit Pedestrian" is short at just under 2 1/2 minutes of mostly piano and background sounds.

"A Glimpse(Of Possible Endings)" is the over 15 minute epic. A sparse intro and I'm not into the vibes but then it turns fuller before 3 minutes. Cello replaces the vibes but not for long. I think that's guitar before 4 minutes making some noise. An experimental calm follows then it kicks back into gear. Check out the guitar 5 1/2 minutes in. The cello is back after 6 minutes then some absolutely gorgeous mellotron. I wish there was more of it. A calm with vibes a minute later then it starts to build as guitar and more join in. Great sound! Piano joins in and it all sounds so majestic here. Another calm 10 1/2 minutes in with piano only then it slowly builds again. Check out the mellotron before 14 minutes(gasp!). "The Worst Is Behind Us" features piano and electronics early on as there's not much going on. It picks up before a minute but I'm not a fan of the sound that arrives before 2 1/2 minutes and lasts for another 4 minutes or so. It's somewhat spacey late to end it.

This has been getting a lot of praise so it's probably just me but I can't click on 4 stars this time around.

Report this review (#1530930)
Posted Saturday, February 20, 2016 | Review Permalink

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