Monument-Hellhound

Rock Of Angels Records
2018

British heavy metal band Monument will release "Hellhound" on May 25th, 2018. Preceded in life by 2016's "Hair of the Dog", this 12-track recording* serves as the group's third full-length album since forming in 2011. Opening by way of  the solid "William Kidd" (see official video below), "Hellhound" finds lead singer Peter Ellis (ex-The More I see, ex-White Wizzard) and crew once again mixing together the best parts of of N.W.O.B.H.M. (Iron Maiden, Judas Priest) and traditional heavy metal (everything from Anvil to Rainbow). With production courtesy of  Tony Newton, Monument's forthcoming album is arguably the strongest effort to date from this extremely-talented lot! Frankly-speaking, everything about this album rocks!! Having aimed for the "live" sound of these London metal merchants, Tony's Newton's slick production highlights Peter Ellis' soaring vocals, the thunder and lightening sensation that is the rhythm section of "Hellhound", and the album's (epic and simply tremendous!) lead guitar solos! With each and every number offering something new and exciting(!), "Hellhound" is traditional heavy metal at it's absolute finest!! It is obvious that a lot of hard work went into the construction of the songs of this high-flying disc! And the individual performances? The fact is everyone has put their best foot forward on this must-have release. Packed with heavy metal glory that will blow more than a few minds, "Hellhound" is what happens when every member of a band gives 100% effort in a studio setting. As good as all of the material is musically, Monument's new album would be wasted if the songs weren't well-written. Thank the maker of all that is metal that this isn't the case. Lyrically the album covers a lot of ground (per Monument's awesome lead singer the lyrics touch on history, urban London life, the occult and personal relationships) while musically this is what makes British heavy metal so great to begin with. It's not only the blazing leads and stunning vocals, but the beautiful way in which melody and metal madness work so well together. Ending by way of two choice cover songs (one from Rainbow and the other one from Iron Maiden), "Hellhound" is all about waving the flag proudly for true heavy metal! If you are a fan of top of the line British heavy metal, this forthcoming album should be a part of your personal collection!!

*The CD consists of 12 tracks (9 tracks plus 3 bonus tracks) while the limited-edition vinyl version will only have the 9 "normal" tracks.

Monument-Renegades

MGR Music
2014

Picking up where 2012's "Rock the Night" EP left off, "Renegades" is the long-overdue full-length debut album London's Monument. With a string of singles having paved the way for this long-player, "Renegades" is more of the same classic heavy metal that many came to know and love about this band featuring several former members of White Wizzard (including lead vocalist Peter Ellis who is also a former member of The More I See) only here we get to hear sound of a more confident Monument, one who has stepped-forward and is fully committed to their craft. If "Renegades" is guilty of anything it's the fact that it is too long coming for fans who eagerly embraced the band's take on all things metal, both traditional (everything from Anvil to Shok Paris) and N.W.O.B.H.M. (Iron Maiden, Judas Priest) in nature. Otherwise there is no reason not to suggest this one to both fans and casual listeners alike! Whether we are talking about Peter Ellis serving notice on the mic as a more then capable front-man (one who has a Bruce Dickinson vibe about about him!) or the band as a whole (fully embracing the denim and leather heavy metal lifestyle of old!) Monument has it all in the palm of their hands thanks to "Renegades"! For classic heavy metal junkies here comes your fix!

Monument-Rock The Night

Transcend Music
2012


After almost a month away from Heavy Metal Time Machine I figured what better way to get back into the swing of things full-time then with some classic heavy metal? Sure, I did manage to squeak out one review during the past few weeks (Miss May I), but true heavy metal is more my thing. So, with that said, I jump back into the game with Monument. Ex-White Wizzard/The More I See vocalist Peter Ellis leads this five-piece British classic heavy metal band. Rounded out by guitarists Lewis Stephens and David del Cid, bassist Jim Ramses and drummer Matt C the band don't exactly hide their influences. Rather it seems as if the band says "Yeah, we love the NWOBHM movement and decided to form a band with the sole purpose of reliving those glory days so what of it?". Without drawing too much of a line between Peter's new band and his one previous band this does come off a little like White Wizzard part 2. Iron Maiden being the most obvious choice of snack for these metal loving Londoners. Does that make this less of an enjoyable 5-track EP? Well, it isn't brilliant. Monument do recycle a lot of old Iron Maiden riffs as well as a few choice Judas Priest and Saxon ones. It's done in such a fashion though as to offer a loving tribute to the movement that one can't help but smile while enjoying some very basic traditional heavy metal. "Rock the Night", for example, is classic Iron Maiden done up with a smile and a wink as if saying "Here, treat yourself to some fine classic heavy metal/British metal on us" and, for whatever reason, you gladly accept it without making too much of a deal out of the fact that it's all been done before. This short EP (my counter says 23 minutes) is not an album that will light the world on fire. It isn't going to make Monument the next big thing. In fact it almost seems as if the band are aware of that and just play with a sense of "Let' just see where this takes us" which, without downplaying what the band is after, is somewhat refreshing in a day and age in which to many of these retro-loving bands are trying way to hard to impress the listener.