Review: Monolord – Neverending
Monolord took their time crafting “Neverending”. The Swedish doom trio, now thirteen years deep into their career, have always been masters of tslow and heavy music. With “Neverending”, they’ve sharpened their approach without sacrificing the crushing weight that defines their sound. The album’s eight songs mark a deliberate shift toward more concise and immediate songwriting, while retaining the atmospheric density and emotional resonance of the previous works.
From the opening notes of “Iodine”, it’s clear that Monolord are operating with a newfound precision. The song’s patience feels fresh for a band often associated with the low-and-slow grind, yet it never loses the band’s mood. “You Bastard” drives harder than much of their previous work, and surprises with a groove- metal approach that is quite refreshing yet no total break with earlier works. The album’s centerpiece, however, might just be its closer: “It’s Neverending”. Featuring Jörgen Sandström (Entombed and Grave) on vocals, the track is a bold departure, introducing death-metal growls to Monolord’s signature doom. The contrast between clean vocals and Sandström’s anguished roars, set against the band’s heaviest riffs yet, makes for a fitting and unsettling finale.
“Neverending” isn’t a radical reinvention, but it doesn’t need to be. The band’s ability to evolve within their own framework pays off with a strong album. The production is immaculate, the riffs are as crushing as ever, and the emotional depth adds a layer of rawness that feels both new and entirely natural. This is Monolord at their most assured, delivering an album that’s as rewarding for longtime fans as it is accessible to newcomers.
If there’s a minor gripe, it’s that the songwriting occasionally falters in its ambition to be sharper, but these moments are few and far between. Overall the record is a well-rounded, tightly crafted slab of doom that balances innovation with the band’s trademark heaviness. It’s not just one of their best; it’s a statement that Monolord are still digging deeper, still pushing forward.
