Album Review: Mono Inc. - Nevermore

Monomania is a term from the psychiatric disease theory of the early 19th century and means something like individual madness as opposed to complete madness. In 2003 this term was the template for naming the Hamburg band mono inc and hit 10 years later in 2013 mono inc another chapter in her work! Joachim Witt and Mono Inc. mastermind Martin Engler have become close friends since Witt's last CD and so they came up with the idea of ​​doing a number together. But when it came to the question of who should sing in which language, the two didn't quite get along at first. But when Witt wrote an English verse and Martin wrote a German refrain, the convolutions of both brains really got active. The love of music has connected the two poles and the Hamburg rock band succeeds in reinventing itself with «Nevermore», staying true to their sound and yet bringing a new Mono Inc. dimension to the market. The well-received predecessor "After the War" was already able to clear up, now with the new album "Nevermore" another great moment of atmospheric rock entertainment is coming up.

As already mentioned, Martin Engler and Joachim Witt are close friends and celebrate their "Club of Living Poets" every week. Joachim benefits from the fact that Martin is an excellent cook, Witt himself can't do anything at the stove, but enjoys exquisite dishes. In the context of this "club of living poets" abstruse ideas arise. One of them was to do a number together, which is not surprising at first glance, but when it came to the question of who should sing in which language, the two did not get along well at first, because traditionally Witt sings in German and Engler in English. But when Joachim wrote an English verse and Martin a German chorus, the convolutions of the brain of the two really got active. The result is a song in which Martin was inspired by Joachim to keep the German chorus, after which he contributed a purely German verse. The result is called "No way too far" and "should encourage people," said the Mono Inc. singer and Witt in unison.

MONO INC. - My Deal With God (Official Video)

Carried by this inspiration, a number of songs in German were created almost as if in flight, which the band is very happy about. "For us, standing still would be creative death, which is why we took this step and are eager to present the new facet to the fans." Musically, Mono Inc. can be classified between alternative and dark rock and their albums are carried by a serious, sometimes gloomy mood. Common themes are loss and separation. In addition to the main instruments of the band members in the form of guitar, bass and drums, other instruments are used at concerts, so Martin Engler likes to play acoustic guitar and piano. Although the band comes from Germany and, with the exception of a few concerts abroad, primarily performs there, the lyrics from Mono Inc. have so far been in English without exception. With «Nevermore», German lyrics are used for the first time, which shine with lyricism and poetry and the great melodies are immediately catchy. A year after the Top 10 album "After the War", Mono Inc. confidently presents itself with new and established influences and continues to storm on their way to monomaniac world domination.

With the first track, the album has an opener that really packs a punch. This brisk, catchy number caught my ear the first time I heard it and settled in there. Take a popular nursery rhyme, have a child recite it, process it into a catchy chorus, underlay it with an NDH riff, add a keyboard carpet to the fullness and you've got a smashing hit. After six English-language albums, the first song in German presents itself from its very best side and since the first listen I catch myself whistling the song to myself. The song will definitely fill the dance floors at the next Gothic party. And even if you don't like the song in the end: "Three days of rain, three days of snow, then it doesn't hurt anymore." The enthusiastic style of the Hamburg quartet has grown over the years into an interesting and enjoyable mixture of many proven components that the alternative rock genre knows. The numerous hit melodies on this current disc are again and as to be expected from this band, as unusual as snow in the Sahara.

Album Review: Mono Inc. - Nevermore

"Nimmersatt" convinces with a truly enormous variety and there are always new subtleties in all pieces. I was not familiar with the dark gothic rock/pop formation with Martin Engler (vocals), Katha Mia (drums), Carl Fornia (guitar) and Manuel Antoni (bass) until the Greenfield Festival, but the convincing live performance with grandioser Power liked. For this reason I was of course excited about the new album. The whole disc is characterized by a certain warmth, which is enhanced by Joachim Witt's voice. "Everything that remains" is just as likely to be a hit, which is performed in a somewhat more orchestral manner. After quieter pieces "Euthanasia" and "A better way to die", which is carried by Martin's deep, melancholic voice, "The clock ticks on" is convincing and follows with "Herzschlag" again an catchy tune. I can well imagine “Days like this” when driving on the autobahn. The high quality of the songwriting and production can also be maintained with the slow "I don't share you", the rocking "Seligkeit" and the driving "My Deal with God". This strong disc finally ends melancholically and contemplatively with «Nevermore».

Mono Inc. can convince all along the line with their latest work. From the track selection to the instrumentation to the cover artwork, everything is extremely coherent. Musically somewhere in the big world between Eisbrecher, Oomph!, The Cure, HIM and Nick Cave, the listener is presented with a disc full of hits that makes them want to experience the band live. The typical Mono Inc. sound is already apparent after the first few seconds, because the band has stayed true to their style, despite the new German lyrics. With song structures that are as emotional as they are catchy, Mono Inc. have an ideal platform for their sophisticated and sophisticated playing skills. Musically, the disc is rather mainstream-heavy, which doesn't mean that this work is bad just because a switch to mainstream music has been made. On the contrary, the album is not only a must-have for fans! The new album will be available in stores on August 9th, 2013 and anyone who enjoys the music of Rammstein, Eisbrecher, Oomph! or Megaherz, you should check this disc out!

1. Heal, heal blessings
2. Bliss
3. My Deal With God
4. No way too far
5. Euthanasia
6. All that remains
7. The Clock Ticks On
8. A Better Way To Die
9. Heartbeat
10. Days Like This
11. I do not share you
12. Nevermore

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