Monkeynut incinerate on this album with fast chunky riffs, deft scratches, rap/rock vocals reminiscent of faith no more and a general intensity not found in most bands these days. Featuring faintly nasal flamboyant vocals spitting out solid rap meets nu metal flows and power hungry riffs with percussion reminiscent of older Korn this band charges in quick to make elbow room. There's a few elements at play that can bring to mind the electronic stylings of Primer 55, along with vocals similar to The Deadlights, some older Korn chunk riffage is also in place and a little bit of hip hop and emo are the final ingredients that become all mixed into one big boiling stew. Vocals stay wispy throughout the bulk of the tracks included. Intricately placed and slightly sniveling they sort of being to take on the part of the evil side of ones conscience, whispering and speaking into ones ears before steaming over into guttural screams that completely ravage the song with utter tenacity. Sometimes rappish, sometimes emo and most times solid nu metal growls, they serve as an integral part in the groups music. Guitars are tuned with an even medium flair, not too low, and not annoyingly high they cut through with an established firm groove. Chunky and potent, there's a lot of strength behind the riffs laid out, They become ferocious yet methodical as they shoot through from headstrong riffs and melodic plucking, serving as a good contrast between brutal and harmonic. Sometimes effect tinged and most times coated with a searing distortion, the guitar parts definitively help shape the bands sound and take it to the next level. Bass is tuned warmly with a rumbling low end feel. A good amount of variation is shown off with plodding riffs that build up the speed. Lots of slides and hits are left ringing out and loop intelligently forming a tight partnership with the percussion. Not as striking as the guitars the bass tends to end up more or less keeping the pace. Drums are thunderous and bone jarring with a low tuning and consistent double kick combo's that attack the listeners ribcage like an enraged drunken kung fu master. Not completely precise, yet by no means sloppy, there's a lot to be said for the intriguing style exhibited. There's some electronic 808 bass hit incorporation and ethnic elements all layered in with a solid performance, that surprisingly gives each component of the kit its fair share of playing time. It quickly becomes clear that the path taken easily obtains a richly fulfilling percussive experience. Electronic elements appear on a few tracks with ethereal synthesized loops and the occasional sample inserted in creating a broader auditory environment while the occasional turntable scratch mixes things up. Overall this band has a sponge like style that seeps in influences from a host of other bands and leaves its own imprint in their place. The music is powerful, bass heavy and groove laden as it grows from playful rap to tortured aggression laced nu metal, there's a sharp display of variation and experimentation that blossoms in the groups decisive playing style. Still, as impressive of an album as this is, it tends to lack a binding cohesiveness, perhaps due to the playful and almost schizophrenic nature of the tracks or the overall loose feel something just feels like it's missing and can leave the listener wishing the meal served was a little more well prepared. Monkeynut take a palette of intensity and paint a vivid picture of aggression flourished with vast influences and heavy groove on this album, so if you're looking for a solid piece of art that flows from instinct, then this might just be your next purchase.
(4 / 5)