Artist: Monsterworks
Title: The God Album
Type: Album
Label: Casket

Where to start with this one? And by that I mean where to start dishing out the compliments first because Monsterworks have really outdone themselves with The God Album. An intelligently developed lyrical concept, some fantastic individual performances, a powerful production and some quite stunning songs...The God Album has it all. The band demonstrate both a rare understanding of what great metal is all about and an admirable disinterest in the dictates of all the irritating sub genres that have grown up in recent years. When a song demands a sparkling solo it’s delivered, when the adrenalin rush of a blast beat inferno is needed it’s there – melody and brutality go hand in hand to create something unique and special. Of course it helps that vocalist Jon has the ability to match every dynamic shift with the appropriate vocal style. The aforementioned lyrical concept is a discussion about organised religion and its impact on society. The band have actually put together a companion essay to accompany the album which can be downloaded here - http://www.supermetal.net/Download/The_God_Album_Companion.pdf - and it is well worth a read as it really fleshes out the ideas and arguments put forward in the lyrics. However even if you have no interest whatsoever in lyrics and concepts The God Album is still an essential slab of metal that challenges itself and succeeds at every turn. It’s intelligent and complex but also hits that magical spot that you feel in your guts, that makes your fist clench and your head bang. All in all Monsterworks have delivered a monster album and how they set about surpassing this is anybody’s guess.

http://www.myspace.com/monsterworks