SUHAIL DHAWAN

Alas, it isn’t! Gnosis is an album below what was expected from such a talented bunch of people. Their three-song EP packed a punch for the groove metal enthusiasts with a raw and meaty sound and some unique riffage. This isn’t the case with Gnosis.

I have to concede that I may be biased, given that the flurry of djent bands has raised the bar for artists and allowed monotony to creep into the genre. However, that is the case for any and every genre that gains a sustained (or otherwise) period of popularity. The record opens with a new setting to their first track, ‘Admit Defeat’, one that’s pleasing to the ear. However, songs like ‘Doxa’ seem too clean and tedious and don’t do justice to the band’s ability to play some great music.

Current trends in British djent have led to south England band No Consequence playing some hard-hitting tracks and bending borders. Also, Intensity Squared still has the dirty and dry reminiscent of early era Periphery. Monuments, with tracks like ‘Degenerate’, seem to have added an extra dimension of technicality, for which they must be complimented, but the ferocity of their tracks seems severely toned down.

‘The Uncollective’ also goes through a wardrobe change with new set-ups. This, however, isn’t really a step up from their previous rendition of the track and is sufficient proof of the lack of rancor on the album. Despite the overall tinge of mechanized sounds, there are few standout tracks to which the listener can bang his head.

In a fierce cauldron of djentists, the once pioneering act needs something magical to reinstate their status as a spearhead of British djent. They are actively playing gigs which still maintain a certain level of monstrosity, but these tracks are good, and not much beyond that sphere.

With a potpourri of talent, one hopes that the next EP/album is an action packed collection of high gain tones and palm muting. Playing lower tunes and crazier bass lines will be a refreshing change from all the djent that is churned out in the markets at an increasingly brisk pace. Here’s hoping for a better future for Monuments!

Photo by: Patrick Häberli