MONOMYTH | LIVE REVIEW
The Moon Club, Cardiff, Thurs 19 Feb
This first show on an eight-date UK tour found Monomyth flaunting a confident display of sonic technical precision, delivering a hypnotically alluring set in promotion of their sophomore effort Further. The Hague-based purveyors of psych/Krautrock fare faithfully blasted through the entirety of their latest album, garnering markedly positive approval from the audience, indicative from the number of swaying heads amidst an enthusiastic but admittedly average-level turnout. Yet they captivated the room, and with a relentless grasp of musicianship it was unsurprising.
Churning through a surging rendition of the chugging Collision, the five-piece ignited the space occupying the Moon Club with a fevered pulse of energy that acknowledged the state shifting controlling theme of their output. Intonations of Meddle-era Pink Floyd could be felt in abundance on the more contemplative desert rock offerings. However, the quintet more than succeeded in conjuring a combustive climax worthy of the aforementioned prog behemoths themselves, with the final opus 6EQUJ5 being greeted with cheers of endorsement from devotees of the Dutch ensemble within the ranks.
The band managed to create a fluctuating mood within the venue itself, exhibiting not only their ability to effectively replicate studio material in a live environment but also to enrapture the punters as and when appropriate. It is perhaps notable that crowd-pleasing moments coincided with the obvious passion the outfit invest in their own abilities, the propelling force of guitarists Thomas van den Reydt and Selwyn Slop operating at maximum effect in tandem with Peter van der Meer’s skilful command of the keyboard. The interplay between all members aligned in a synchronicity that didn’t fail to compel.
Whilst there was very little vocal interaction present between the band and those attending, this was more than compensated via a thoroughly immersive style of delivery. This was a consistent show of force, continuing with restless capacity throughout the hour in which they played. With little doubt this stood as a committed performance that revelled in riff-driven gravitas and ethereal introspection equally.
words CHRIS PEACH