NECROMONKEY

NECROMONKEY are the Swedish duo of Mattias Olsson and David Lundberg and I'm sure Mattias came up with the album's title(haha). This is a band that was quite active from 2013 to 2016 but has sort of dropped off the map since then. Mattias always seems to be into some sort of project while Lundberg is busy with his GOSTA BERLINGS SAGA band. During that four year period NECROMONKEY had released three studio albums, an EP and a live record.

This is the third studio album and their most electronic. In fact lots of beats in the form of drums, drum machines and electronics. I find it interesting that GOSTA BERLINGS SAGA has become more like this third album since 2018 with ""Et EX" then "Konkret Music" making me think maybe NECROMONKEY is done, but lets hope not.

A fair amount of mellotron once again but not like on the debut "Necroplex" which is my favourite. We get a guest Kristian Holmgren who plays bass with WALRUS a band that Olsson drums with so that's the connection there. It is humbling to read the detailed list of what's played on each track, especially the electronics. Oh and there's the "mellotron gino vanelli celloes and basses" on the opener. Mattias?! That opener is my third favourite track, a great 11 minute start to this record. Maybe the proggiest the way it changes throughout. The processed vocals late are from our guest Kristian Holmgren who must have been hanging out.

My favourite song is "Everybody Likes Hornets But Nobody Likes Hornet Egg" at 5 minutes it's the orchestration, light electronics and atmosphere that create beauty. The atmosphere leaves around 3 1/2 minutes in and this doesn't sound as good as a result but then it returns just before 4 minutes as the electronic beats step aside.

The closer "The Current beneath The Squarewave" is my final top three. And it's that sound early on with the depth that is the attraction for me, those bass sounds. Mellotron choirs too and it's spacey. I really like the first 3 1/2 minutes of "The Rage Within The Clouds" then it turns electronic to the end of this 10 1/2 minute track. Meanwhile it's the last section of "Like Fun You Are" that I'm really impressed with when it comes to that song. Still a good song overall including some haunting stuff and mellotron cello.

A very solid 4 stars and one that will go in my Electronic section.

If you like NECROMONKEY you really need to check out this live release from Pianos in NYC. We get 55 minutes of powerful music contrasted with the atmospheric calms to great affect throughout this recording. Six tracks with two from the debut and the title track to close it from their second album, then three previously unreleased songs. One of those called "Kinky Panda" will end up on that EP released in 2016 but a longer version of it.

Listening to this all week I knew of course that ANGLAGARD's Mattias Olsson was the drummer and driving force behind this band but had forgot who else was on it. I kept thinking all week about how much this music reminded me of GOSTA BERLINGS SAGA's music and then today I'm looking up the lineup(no info about it in the packaging at all) and there it was David Lundberg on keyboards and Einar Baldursson on guitar two members of GOSTA BERLINGS SAGA. So that's a good reference to the sound here and I was surprised to actually hear a KING CRIMSON inspired sound on that "Kinky Panda" tune in the vein of the "Red" era, quite powerful over the 5 minutes with a calm in the middle.

That opener though "Being Pluto" is my favourite at 12 1/2 minutes it's the longest as well. Just a pleasure with the powerful sections being replaced with mellow bits throughout. Such a heavy groove at times and that memorable melody that comes and goes is the key. Love this one and I swear I've heard it before but it's also previously unreleased. "The Storm" is the other previously unreleased tune and it a relaxed, drifting song with keys and spacey sounds. I like the opener a lot more than the closer but they are similar being over 12 minutes each with contrasts of sounds throughout.

The two from the debut along with that opener round out my top three. That includes "Every Dead Indian" which is such a treat for the ears, there's so much going on here and it's catchy. Attention to detail for sure and some contrasts. "Knock Knock Hornet's Nest" is experimental to start but man when we get that main melody around 1 1/2 minutes I'm smiling. Again powerful with some calms. And yes I've knocked a hornet's nest and paid for it. I highly recommend this one and the only really annoying thing is the chatter in the background every time the band slows down the music. It would be worse to be standing near these people I suppose during the concert but other than that this is all gravy.

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.

Necromonkey are Mattias Olsson (ex-'nglag'rd), David Lundberg (G'sta Berlings Saga) and additional musician on this album is Kristian Holmgren. Show Me Where It Hertz is their 3rd studio album. First thing that I would like to say about this album is that I really love the title and the 'pun' with 'Hertz'. The album cover is also amazing, I really love the artwork (maybe it's because it reminds me of the pictures I had in my study books when I studied microbiology). I think the artwork would even look better on a big vinyl sleeve. If they have the chance to release this album on vinyl I will put the sleeve in a picture frame and hang it on the wall.

I heard some tracks of the album on a radio show called Prog Rock Deep Cuts with Ian Beabout. Ian had the honour to interview Mattias and to play some tracks before the official release. I really loved what I heard so I couldn't wait to have the original album in my hands.

The music on this Necromonkey album is different from the regular music they make. There's a card in the album sleeve that tells the story about the making of this album. I'm not going to tell the whole story just to make you, the reader of this review, extra curious about the album. What I can tell is that the band played in a club and instead of using drums, Fender Rhodes and bass they used drum machines and synthesizers. Not much later they recorded this album using a variety of different synths and other instruments. The inner sleeve tells which instruments are used during which track. That is a very great feature, not many bands/artists make a list of which instrument(s) they use while making a track. Unfortunately my personal knowledge is too insufficient to hear exactly which instruments/machines and equipment is used during which parts of the track.

The first track Entering The Sublevels Of Necroplex is also the longest track on the album. It's a very good track, it builds up very slowly with a fade in an a minimal amount of sounds, and later on more and more sounds and instruments are used, bringing it to an epic peak after 6,5 minutes, and it even gets better and better. After 8,5 minutes the theme changes a bit and turns into an awesome outro of the song. I can understand that some people will think that it's long-winded at some moments, but I think it's great. The second track Everybody Likes Hornets But Nobody Likes Hornet Egg (Yes, that's the name of the track. They are very creative) is the shortest track on the album (Well, it still lasts 5 minutes, so it isn't very short at all). It's also a track that is built up slowly and gets filled up with more sounds and instruments. The outro has its own 'up building' end. The third track The Rage Within The Clouds is just beautiful. It's bombastic, it's haunting. When you think the track is over after 8,5 minutes you get a small extra surprise. The fourth track The Electric Rectum Electoral (Please, can someone give those guys a medal for their track names) starts with different drum machines. It contains peaceful intermediate pieces. Fifth track Like Fun You Are starts very lurid (in a good way) and haunting and the mellotron cello makes it extra spectral. It gets spookier towards the end, so this would be great for spooky movies. The sixth and last track The Current Beneath The Squarewave is a great track to end the album with. I really like the heavy undertones that start almost halfway through the track.

The album is around 46 minutes long and that's a very nice length, not too long, not too short, just perfect. This album will be in my top 5 albums of 2015 because I love it! The music gives me goosebumps. Too bad that there are so many great albums released this year already, because they deserve place number 1 in my opinion. It's a real masterpiece. I'm sure this album will be played a lot when I have time to listen to music I already own. I secretly wish they will make more like this kind of music. If you like Electronic Music, Krautrock, Psychedelic and and a lot of keyboards, synthesizers and drum machines, then this album should really be in your collection' And, if I need to be honest, every Necromonkey album should be in your collection! Those guys are very gifted musicians. I give this album 5 out of 5 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.

4.5 stars. This one sort of snuck up on me after many listens which wasn't too surprising considering it's quite experimental with plenty of electronics and effects. NECROMONKEY are the duo of Mattias Olsson(ANGLAGARD) and David Lundberg(GOSTA BERLINGS SAGA). They have a dozen guests helping out with a variety of instruments, vocals and sounds including another GOSTA BERLINGS SAGA member Einer Baldersson who plays a variety of guitars along with electric sitar and mandolin. It's tough describing the music with so many effects and electronics but i'll try to tell you what I think I hear.

"Pea" features piano and mellotron sounds that build and we get some electronics late. "Asshole Vote" has these pulsating mellotron sounds as electronics, drums and bass are added. A change 1 1/2 minutes in as we get what sounds like organ. This moves me for some reason. Drums and trumpets join in then we get a fuller sound before 3 minutes. So good. It sounds like sirens before strummed guitar and a female voice arrives and they go on for some time. Drums and electronics end it. "Element" is a bright and feel-good piece. Electronics to the fore then it settles briefly before kicking back in. Some effects late. "Tuba Melt" does have tuba in it of course along with a bass trumpet as they feed off one another and sound like they are both cut up. "Small Rome" features piano melodies while the mellotron late is gorgeous. "Every Dead Indian" is such a great track and for some reason(mellotron) it reminds me MORTE MACABRE. Some cello early on slices away with keys then samples and drums are added as it builds some. It kicks into a higher gear around 3 minutes. This is catchy with plenty of mellotron. A change 4 1/2 minutes in as it calms right down with a beat only to start then it builds. Picked guitar 5 1/2 minutes in then bass clarinet followed by mellotron. Beautiful stuff.

"Empty Traps And Nightfall" opens with rain and thunder along with bass. E-bow I believe is what I hear next in this very laid back tune. "Spoken" is a humorous spoken word piece with experimental sounds in the background. "The Utopian And The Teaspoon" sounds amazing and we get electric sitar and deep pulsating sounds. Lots of effects as well including voices. The drumming is prominant then it starts to slow down before 3 minutes before becoming quite experimental as the pulsating rhythm stops. "Winds Over Iceland" features baritone guitar and other sounds. I like it. "Knock Knock Hornets Nest" is another highlight that reminds me somewhat of latter day RADIOHEAD. Check out the electric 12 string early on as drums and more help out. Lots of electronics before 2 minutes as a Lap Steel helps out. A calm after 4 minutes. "Notebook" is a short mournful piece that drones. "Last Entry" reminds me of MORTE MACABRE as well with those female vocal melodies and atmosphere. Picked mandolin helps out and it turns fuller after 1 1/2 minutes. It settles back after 3 minutes as it continues to wind down to the end.

Man this is nothing like any of the bands these two guys have been a part of which is actually pretty cool. This is innovative and at times challenging and an album i'll get a lot out of for years to come.

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.

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.

Necromonkey is the collaboration between Mattias Olsson who is the drummer from the much appreciated band Änglagård, and keyboardist David Lundberg who you know from Gösta Berlings Saga, so it's not so surprising when the two also seem to collaborate on each other's bands lately. But please forget anything you know from the those two bands and set your mind to something completely and entirely different, this album marks one end of the eclectic prog genre as it combines a few elements from prog electronic, symphonic and post rock. Their mixing of styles, ideas and sound is something I haven't heard yet, mixing together modern technology with vintage and acoustic equipment, giving the album an exhilarating, interesting and varied sound. But don't expect any electronic experimentation or trippy ambienty stuff like in the 70's electronic albums, this is quite different, very upbeat and energetic. The music incorporates a lot of layers and all kinds of sounds from clarinets, guitars, cellos violins, piano and trumpets to a big arsenal of keyboards like mellotron, synths, drum machine and more, so there's a lot to pay attention to, a lot of details are hidden inside that big mix or just flying all over the place. Olsson and Lundberg handle most of the instruments, but there's also a good line up of other musicians who contributes on the acoustic instruments. Although there's a use of vintage keyboards the overall sound is very fresh and modern, including Olsson's drums which are not trying to sound live but instead heavily effected, which of course suits the music perfectly and gives it a very modern, new, challenging and fresh sound, and this is aside from the drum machine involved, so as it turnes out every track here enjoys a different drums sound and sometimes a few different sound within one song, very cool!.

Necroplex has a very natural and easy flow thanks to the effective arranging of the tracks. I think what makes this album a real winner is that perfect balance between new electronic sounds and vintage or acoustic instruments. The main and longer tracks are seperated by shorter tracks which are completely acoustic and helps the flow of the album and the overall varied sound. For example "Small Rome" sounds like a modern classical piece played by piano, cello and keys. "Empty Traps And Nightfall" is a beautiful fretless bass interlude with some noises behind and "Spoken" is an enjoyable narration over a weird combination of a trippy distorted piano and a rusty jukebox playing a dixieland jazz tune, I love those sounds! The other more electronic tracks are very progressive as well, they change and evolve from one minute to the next incorporating million of sounds, noises and different melodies. This is also the place to comment on Lundberg's exquisite and masterful keyboard work, which is so varied and engaging. An outstanding work of bringing all kinds of different sounds and putting them together, each in his right place and on top of that coming with beautiful melodies and themes. There's also some tasteful guitars added by no other than Einar Baldursson also from Gosta Berlings Saga, only this time his adding some colors to the picture or playing all kinds of leads and fillers, he is the one responsible for that post rock feel that the music has, so don't expect any wild solos that he is so known for.

Every track is very different from the other so the album actually works better as a whole, but still I can name a few highlights. "Every Dead Indian" is an 8 minute track which demonstrates all the great aspects of the duo. The song is divided in two, the first part is an upbeat modern psychedelic theme led by a prominent violin and all kinds of keyboard sounds, it then breaks into the second part which is very relaxed including a beautiful calrinet, excellent stuff! And check out the super cool "The Utopian And The Teaspoon" with its driving rhythm and uplifting horns theme adding trumpets, guitars and other sounds to the mix, I love cranking this one up.

So if you're already a fan of these guys here is a chance to see how eclectic and unusual they can get, pushing the boundaries of prog rock just a little more. I usually don't go for albums like this but boy am I glad I did this time! I can recommend this album to anyone who wishes to broaden his horizons and open up to something different and adventurous. 4.5 stars and very close to the fifth star. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!