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Hair Of The Dog

    

 

    
       
       
     
             
Monument are a heavy metal band from the UK formed in 2011, releasing their debut E.P. 'Rock The Night' in 2012, debut full length album 'Renegades' in 2014, and sophomore album 'Hair Of The Dog' in 2016.    
             
The new album gets off to a flyer and is quickly into its bombastic stride with the title song 'Hair Of The Dog'. Quick paced with the trademark duelling guitars and galloping rhythm, 'Hair Of The Dog' is classic NWOBHM. With big chunky guitar riffs 'Blood Red Sky' comes crashing in with a rumbling bass line and thunderous drums making it a foot tapping gem of a song. 'Streets Of Rage' introduces a more melodic feel, a hard hitting hard rocking song that is full of pace and catchy rhythms. The comparisons with legendary British icons Iron Maiden are plain for all to see...a twin guitar attack, galloping rhythms and a cartoon style mascot that adorns the covers of their album and single releases. At over six minutes in length 'Imhotep (The High Priest)' is an anthemic epic of story telling proportions. Come gather round everyone, Monument have a story to tell...and in superb style they do it too. Foot tapping rhythms, a mid tempo plod and a heavier vibe give 'Imhotep (The High Priest)' its epicness. Hard hitting and packing a huge punch, 'Crobar' lurches forward with chopping guitars and the familiar guitar buzz, synonymous with the NWOBHM sound.    
             
'Emily' is a swaggering, blues tinged heavy rock song that casually strolls by as though it has not a care in the world. A musical style not heard since their 2012 E.P. 'Emily' is a breather from the bluff and bluster that is packed around it. Pace thankfully returns in bombastic style with the instrumental 'Olympus', giving the band an opportunity to showcase their range of musical talent. Catchy and infectious with some memorable guitar hooks, 'Olympus' is a solid song. The first single released off the album 'A Bridge Too Far' reignites the blistering pace from earlier with the classic twin guitar lead in full swing and a galloping backline as support. 'A Bridge Too Far' echoes the heady days of the eighties, when the likes of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Saxon were setting the world alight with the pace and power of their music. The ballad-esque 'Heart Of Stone' seems out of place on such a blisteringly heavy metal album. After an opening that struggles to capture the imagination, it does improve when it takes on the identity of a power ballad. Closing the album is the epic six minutes plus 'Lionheart', full of atmosphere and an anthemic style chorus that will be chanted passionately by the crowd in a live arena. Second albums are sometimes let downs if the first album is a corker, but in the shape of 'Hair Of The Dog' (the album), Monument have grown and continue to impress.    
             
Overall, galloping rhythms, twin guitars and a clean and clear vocal delivery, this is what traditional British heavy metal should sound like. Long live the NWOBHM.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Metal Gods TV    
             
             
Other Reviews    
             

           
           
Rock The Night E.P.      
           
"traditional British heavy metal at its thunderous best, Monument have brought the NWOBHM sound back, and added more to make it sound even better" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             

           
           
Runaway (single)      
           
"a spectacular release from Monument that will excite heavy metal fans around the world leaving them hungry for the new album" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             

           
           
Crusaders (single)      
           
"a superb stomp from Monument, whetting the appetite of every heavy metal fan in anticipation of their debut album" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             

           
           
Renegades      
           
"fast paced, bombastic and barnstorming, this is a superb release and one that'll cement Monument's place at the front of the NWOBHM revival" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             

           
           
A Bridge Too Far (single)      
           
"a superb galloping song, with a twin guitar lead echoing the eighties NWOBHM sound" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             

           
           
Hellhound      
           
"Monument deliver a breathless tour of the NWOBHM genre, defining the sound of traditional British heavy metal" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             
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