Album Review: Monsterworks – Malignment (Eat Lead and Die Music)

After over a decade producing material based on various existential themes, Malignment returns Monsterworks to the storyline created for the metal space adventure concept albums Spacial Operations (2007) and Singularity (2009).

Malignment serves as both a prequel and sequel where the strikeship Magma Maiden, having disappeared with her pilot Nate during the Blastnet offensive (a major event in the Singularity album), crash lands in the Eritrean mountains of a near-future Earth. Nate is mortally wounded and his only hope of survival is to be fused with the ship’s A.I.. The procedure is successful but permanently affects the young man’s perception of reality. Now alone and with no means of return to his friends and family, two hundred years before his own birth, Nate must find a way to subsist in the world; while attempting to keep his origins, technology and capabilities hidden.

Vocalist/Guitarist Jon says:

This album will seem like a long time coming, since the band had been releasing something every year like clockwork for quite a while. We missed 2019 – sorry! Or did we? Anyway, it feels good to be back, and to take the Spacial Operations story further and to a conclusion of sorts.

Malignment will be released on the 2nd of October 2020 via Eat Lead and Die Music.

There’s a ton of imagination throughout Monsterwork’s new effort and it makes for a fascinating, if not challenging listen. Beginning with soft melody that explodes into a thick and sinewy style of doom. Skilfully delivering monolithic riffs alongside vocals that vary from guttural depths to soaring and clean highs. It’s a mighty opening effort.

Which makes Pre-Emptive Strike a bit of a head-scratcher. A track that is all over the place. From the squealing guitars, the grander choruses, the stop-start direction changes, the injections of energy…it isn’t the easiest one to get along with.

Although things are back on track for the impressive Harness the Engine, the roll of the drum beat and threatening guitar drawl making for addictive listening. Before Monsterworks really show off just how varied they can be with the pairing of Post Everything and Ice and Awe. The former, a bit of a dark psych track that has you floating through time and space. The latter, a lavish showcase of slow doom, fast thrashiness, melody and heartfelt moments.

A short guitar melody intermission with Contemplating Godhood then sets up the finale of the album. Eyes of the Darkness having a fair bit more wild energy to proceedings and Golden Age adding even more weight to Malignment’s story with a dreamy, thought-provoking and interesting closer.

Monsterworks – Malignment Full Track Listing:

1. Impending Doom
2. Pre-Emptive Strike
3. Harness the Engine
4. Post Everything
5. Ice and Awe
6. Contemplating Godhood
7. Eye of Darkness
8. Golden Age

Links

Bandcamp | Facebook | Eat Lead And Die