Monachopsis
"the subtle but persistent feeling of being out of place….”

Surrounded but always alone is the statement and message that carries throughout Monachopsis. It's powerful, and something that is all too familiar in 2019, during the digital age.

Reminiscent of bands like Misery Signals, with a complex song structure and heavy and melodic pieces of well-crafted music, Hamilton’s Seas of Conflict’s latest release Monacopsis is an incredible song and an example of modern and inspiring Progressive Metal.

The song begins straight out the gate, at full blast before setting a place hold with a half time breakdown where lead vocalist Kody Nadoo launches his vocal assassination. The most surprising feature of this composition is the clean vocal element, but not because of using clean vocals but because of the way it's done and how well it fits with flow of the song. The first section comes down from a heavy break while feeling natural, and when we get to the second and even quieter part, it becomes more fitting and reminds me of one of NZ’s finest New Way Home with beautiful intricate clean guitars interweaving throughout and stunning vocal melodies.

Kody Nadoo’s vocal depths take the song to another level, he has a clear and demanding scream, with a purpose and direction. He's a story teller, not only lyrically but in the way the vocals are carried throughout in waves. During the heaviest breakdown of the song he goes into full roar guttural but then contrasts this with the second cleaner section of the song with mesmerising vocal melodies that compliment and move throughout the guitars.

All held together by drummer Nic Martin, who brings a unique approach to progressive metal drumming where he doesn’t over play and double kick everything he can while keeping the groove and feel of the song moving. It makes Seas stand out for me, because it means the music has more space and room to breathe, every instrument is heard, big and vibrant. Along with bassist Alex Mott, the rhythm section is incredibly tight and all the subtle flairs especially in the quieter sections stand out in a pleasing way.

Along with Nadoo's vocals, a massive stand out was Kayne McVeighs and Declan Storries phenomenal guitaring. In the second breakdown, the addition of delayed, high speed picking further elevates the song and delivers it to the next brutal breakdown. The final chapter of the song then features an epic guitar solo, its melodic and punchy but not overdone, the tie in with the drum rhythm is just another cool feature. There is so much thought and emphasis that has gone into creating this juggernaut, plus there's just heaps of sweet crunchy riffs throughout. Combining forces with one of NZ’s finest metal and rock producers Zorran Mendonsa, there is so much to be found throughout this song.

The Seas of Conflict previous release Vestige laid the foundations and gave us this brilliant piece of original and unique Progressive Metal, that has some familiar elements but has its own voice. The riffs are well planned, no standard cookie chugs here. There is a lot of depth here in terms of songwriting. The band noted this song was written by six members of the Seas family past and present, including current bassist Alex Mott, making his first recording feature, as well as now ex lead guitarists Kayne and Michael.

I don’t think these guys could have started 2019 out any better. If this is what is to come then watch out planet earth. Catch these guys on tour with Alien Weaponry throughout NZ during March 2019.

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