Oi vey…alright, I think I have reached my capacity. I have received umpteen million stoner and post metal albums (alright, maybe far less than that), and despite the overall positive quality of the releases, consisting of massive amounts of innovation, I think the market is beginning to become saturated. What began with the whirlwind known as Mastodon and Isis, has brought many a great band to the forefront of the metal scene and even in the mainstream in some cases. I have loved this change of pace within the scene, especially in contrast to the deathcore revelry going on next door. Still, despite my apprehension in overloading myself in a short period of time on massive stoner albums, I have to give credit where credit is due. La Fin Du Monde, the “not so” post metallers from California, have created a snazzy lil’ morsel known as Monolith, and it is, yet again, a stoner album of extraordinary magnitude.

What I dislike about Isis, is the very thing that makes La Fin Du Monde so great. La Fin Du Monde aren’t pretentious, and are most definitely not tedious. Every song on Monolith, while instrumental, provides ample variation with a jazz-like quality that eliminates the sense of drone that has become a hallmark of Isis’ music. Interestingly enough, despite having less heaviness than Isis (in terms of the way the guitars are tuned), I’d say La Fin Du Monde are still more metal. Why? I’m not sure, they just have that broad stroke that brings more oomph than the meanderers known as Isis; a more epic feel if you will. The “metalness” of this band is irrelevant really, but since I am a sucker for metal, the qualities that seemingly make La Fin Du Monde more metallic than many of their post-metal cohorts, sets them to a higher standard.

Despite my crass attitude to a sound that is quickly catching up to its boiling point, I am still happy to have discovered La Fin Du Monde.

VERY GOOD

Similar Artists: Mastodon, Isis, A Storm of Light

1. These Babies Are Edible
2. Dismal Tide
3. They Will Never See Us
4. Beast IV
5. We Will Fall

Adam Scarborough – Guitar
Chris Roberts – Guitar
Dan Elsen – Drums
Josh Kinsey – Bass
Mike Crew – Bass

Self Released

http://www.myspace.com/lafindumondeband

Review by CODY