On Monochrome, you hear a mix of Slavic melodies and Scandinavian atmospheres, Nordic fusion and jazz. This Polish band draws its inspiration from 11th-century Norwegian wisdom poetry.
The album opens with slow, soft sounds. The throat sounds give it an extra special touch. The lyrics consist of a single sentence that is repeated monotonously. This fits in with the staccato rhythm of the percussion. The blend of vocals and (string) instruments, and the structure, is unusual but intriguing. ‘Needles and Bark’ has only a few sentences. These are repeated in different ways, always with passion.
“Patience in Observation” is less experimental than the other tracks, but also feels partly “trance-like”.
While the contrasting (jazzy) “Praise the Day” is partly restless/fiery.
The seven tracks contain a unique combination of percussion and (string) instruments. The saxophone is usually added subtly, and the synthesizers blend beautifully with the music. Silence and power, light and shadow are wrapped up in a very unusual atmosphere. This atmosphere is not easy to describe; you really have to “feel” it for yourself. Because “Monochrome” is one of the most extraordinary albums ever.
(7/10 (Season of Mist)
Social media:
Facebook: Hér
Tracklist:
01 – Chant – (10:47)
02 – Needles and Bark – (4:57)
03 – Going Down – (4:19)
04 – Patience in Observation – (3:02)
05 – Slipknot – (6:24)
06 – Praise the Day – (6:08)
07 – Farewell – (6:32)
Line-up:
Maciej Świniarski:
Vocal, Percussion
Tomasz Chyła:
Vocal, Violin, Synth Percussion
Piotr Chęcki:
Saxophone, Percussion
Tomasz Sadecki:
Bass Guitar, Synth, Percussion
Sławek Koryzno:
Drums, Percussion
Guest Musicians:
Magdalena Kuraś „Freya”