New Music Review : Monument - Hellhound : Dangerdog Music Reviews : CD Album Music Review : Craig Hartranft

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Monument: Hellhound

Melodic/Heavy/Power Metal

5.0/5.0

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Rock Of Angels Records
Releasing: 25.05.2018
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 18.05.2018

Inspired by British true metal legends such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Saxon, vocalist Peter Ellis wanted to create a band that celebrated the English heavy metal heritage, and Monument was born in 2012. With tours, festival appearances, and two studio albums under their collective bullet belts, Monument delivers their third album Hellhound, with Tony Newton (Iron Maiden) as producer.

Monument

Fundamentally, and to the point, with Hellhound Monument nails it. This is "keep it true" classic British steel, invoking the best of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWoBHM). All the songs are packed with the essentials: twin guitar harmony in riffs and solos (lots of solos), gallop and groove from the rhythm section, and Ellis' assertive and strong, yet melodic and clean vocals. The production is organic and crisp, but not squeaky clean like a Nashville recording.

The songs within Hellhound are consistent and constant from the start. You'll find more power metal gallop with songs such as Hellhound, Wheels Of Steel, and the brisk Attila. Alternatively, songs like The Chalice, Nightrider, and Death Avenue can mix and muddle tempos for some variation. With Straight Through The Heart and Creatures Of The Night (bonus track), Monument gets their hard rock groove going for two heavy metal rockers, both with toe-tapping rhythm and catchy refrains. The hard rock essence of traditional heavy metal is celebrated once more with their tasty cover of Rainbow's Long Live Rock 'n' Roll (also a bonus track).

Once more, it's mission accomplished for Monument. Hellhound is another strong and entertaining album of traditional British heavy metal from these modern pioneers. Easily recommended.

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