“You are just an empty consumable.”
The sounds of our age have often become rather sterile, given the horrors that unfold upon us (the ones we’re told about), and a sheen is put over much of our culture. Much of music seems to buy into this aesthetic, of shine and wonder, while attempting to act as a vehicle for a change of the artist’s choosing. While the metal genre space has a better record of producing soundtracks for the seemingly end times we live in, it does seem to be an ever-increasing minority under the squeaky clean metal that now dominates the landscape.
It’s because of this that acts such as monochrome. emanate a certain appeal, as the Khabarovsk unit have a rawness and a punk essence to them with an unshakeable authenticity. Hence, since we first came across them via the single “расходник (consumable)”, which features on this record, we’ve been intrigued to see what the chaotic, sludgey hardcore group produce next. And with, шаблонные конструкции (template constructions), monochrome. have produced the abrasive hell that fits the times we live in.
The line is drawn as “провода (wires)” showcases the rough and low tuned guitar riffs that blast in a terrorful away, ensuring that the unwilling won’t make it far into the record. The quality of monochrome.’s songwriting begins to come out on “расходник (consumable)”, showcasing mathy riffs blended with sheer chaos that feels akin to what The Armed produced on Untitled more than ten years ago. It presents a sound that rarely gives a moment of peace to the mind before either offering up a new twist in its sound of a groovy bridge or sheer maddening chaos. Across the record, “расходник” and “пёс” would serve as fitting starting points for those looking to delve into monochrome.’s sound.
It’s on the following track where monochrome. delve further into their abrasive and unrelenting sound, to mixed results on “кислота (acid)”. The vocal yells are hellish in their nature, with a rhythm to them and the backing instrumentals that have a looping, chanting force. The use of feedback and pitch in the second half of the track does make it a difficult listen, unless there’s a keen intent to develop tinnitus. These distorted sounds continue into “клетка (cage)”, which does take away from what is another strong track that meets a similar style to that of “расходник”.
шаблонные конструкции enters into full, never blunted chaos on “пёс (dog)”, and while those aforementioned elements are still present at times, the heaviness of the track brushes them away. It draws on a Dillinger Escape Plan influence with its boldness and grooves throughout, that at times feel like a flurry of punches to the senses. “цифра (digit)” continues the relentless intent of monochrome., and while it also may seem exhaustive, it matches the mood of anger and exhaustion than many of us now move between.
As expected, шаблонные конструкции is not for the weak willed, nor should it be. It’s a challenging listen that puts the receiver through the rafters, providing an unfiltered and raw metal soundtrack to unleash your anger through. While at times there are moments with the feedback and distortion that don’t entirely work, what monochrome. have here is a sound that truly feels honest and cutting. While it might not make everyone sit comfortably, шаблонные конструкции will viscerally inscribe its sound into your memory.
7/10
шаблонные конструкции is out this coming Friday, March 13th.