
Almyth is a band from Riga, Latvia that plays Drone/Doom and Stoner sounds steeped in Spiritual Jazz, with saxophone and keyboards enriching the lineup. The new album “Monolith” was released on December 01, 2024 and contains five long sections ranging from 7 to over 10 minutes in length, which make up the long epic suite that gives the work its title. The first section “Monolith I” is characterised by an extended intro with percussion and Spiritual Jazz sounds enriched by a skilful use of effects. Modulations and layering are the leitmotif of the piece, enriching the sounds and allowing experimentation. Refined sax work, vocal interventions and complex musical textures created by the band, in a musical crescendo with inserts of distorted guitars in the finale. A deep, abrasive bass line characterises the intro of “Monolith II,” to which pachydermic drumming enriched by effects is attached. An enveloping track, ranging between different genres and styles, with a more pronounced presence of Heavy passages. Distorted guitars, effects, a mixture of Drone, Jazz and Experimentation with complex atmospheres and restless vocals in the middle section. Evolving the central theme of the track between Experimentation and sound modulations, we arrive at the third track. “Monolith III” is the album’s shortest and opens with a ritualistic vocal with oriental traits, then flows into drone sounds with deep bass lines. Solid and elaborate drumming and guitar work, combining Heavy Rock, Stoner, and Drone, offering the heaviest track to date with guitar and effects taking centre stage through this instrumental. An intro of distorted guitars characterises the fourth section, “Monolith IV,” which displays a dark, heavy sound with a pachydermic rhythm section. The bass lines are deep and load-bearing, while the guitar riffs are heavy and sombre and the sax offers a sophisticated, effects-enriched solo insert. Between continuous tempo changes and fine instrumental sections and experimental work with the sax as the protagonist, the track offers a truly original and very refined sound. The album ends with the last section “Monolith V,” featuring a choral vocal with gloomy percussion. Interweaving the heaviest sounds with an atmospheric touch, the band develops complex guitar-sax-keyboard textures with a pronounced Jazz imprint intertwined with Drone and Heavy Rock. An interesting album, full of elaborate ideas, effects and modulations used with technique and quality, mixing Spiritual Jazz and Drone/Doom. Divided into five long sections that develop the band’s musical concept while keeping the intensity very high from beginning to end. Complex and elaborate, each listening reveals new passages and nuances that are very sophisticated and interesting. A recommended listen for lovers of the more Experimental side of the Heavy sound between Drone/Doom with forays into Spiritual Jazz.
Lineup
01. Monolith I (10:02)
02. Monolith II (07:45)
03. Monolith III (07:18)
04. Monolith IV (07:47)
05. Monolith V (10:46)
Lineup
Andre Tyrone II / Guitar, Vocals, Piano (5), Bass (2, 3, 5), FX, Sampling, Drums (2)
Ralfs / Drums
Mik / Bass
Ralfs / Saxophone
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