The recently released Monokrator was my first dive into the world of London’s The Bleeding and I will say I was absolutely bitch slapped by the music.
Lord have mercy on my soul, Monokrator is 30 minutes and 22 seconds of face melting and brutally snarling fun.
With Monokrator, The Bleeding demonstrate their acute ability to cherry-pick the best elements from the world of death, thrash, and metal and fuses those elements into a sound that is merciless and savage. From the bone crushing riffs to the power packed drumming, every note and vocal have been meticulously planned.
The four piece of Jamie Stungo, Tasos, James Loh, and Jordan Muscatello have created a sound that is modern yet nostalgic and that nostalgia pays homage to the pioneers like Exodus.
The band says this of the album,
Monokrator marks the third full-length release for The Bleeding. We aimed to push ourselves creatively and explore new territories within death and thrash metal. The result is our most intense and boundary-pushing sound to date, a testament to our dedication and growth. Throughout the creation of Monokrator, we faced numerous trials and tribulations. The turmoil in and around the band ignited a fierce determination within us. We channelled that energy into the music, pushing ourselves to our limits. It was a transformative process, one that led us to discover new depths of creativity and power.
From the opening track “Chemical Lobotomy” to the closing title “Throes of Repulsion” there is not a single weak moment on the album. Nor is there a moment to breathe. The listener is aurally assaulted with speeding guitars, blast beats, and wailing vocals.
Being new to the world of The Bleeding, for me, Monokrator is not only an introduction to the band’s talent but it’s proof of their musical prowess and creativity.
