Album Reviews

Review – Absolute Monarchs by Absolute Monarchs

Written by Justin Gimse

ABSOLUTE MONARCHS
“ABSOLUTE MONARCHS”
Release April 17, 2012

I love hearing a band that brings me back a few years, but offers me up some new flavor. The Absolute Monarchs dialed it in for me on their self-titled debut from Good To Die Records. Already building up a legendary, live show status in the Seattle region, these cats have offered up a quick, clean album that lends itself to staying heavy on your music rotation…

The opening riff of their first song “Attack” had me at GO!

Joel Schneider works the handles on the vocals and bass as well as the occasional keys. Schneider offers up some serious “holler” on the mic, but stops short of screaming/cookie monster time. Sometimes I can’t tell the difference between his voice and Matt Sader of Argonaut, and that’s not a bad thing.

It’s a quick album and just when you may start to think, “is this it?” they change things up

in the middle with “Thinking Thieves” and then “It’s Bad.” A fine change of pace. The album runs away afterward, hard-charging down the slopes til the crushing end.

Shawn Kock on lead guitar and Miki Sodos on rhythm/lead, drive these songs deep into the soil, growing roots, just as Michael Stubz on drums, drills the creation back to the surface. This is a seriously tight band.

With nods to Punk, Post-Punk, Stoner Rock and of course, a Big Nasty Dash of the Salt of the Puget Sound – The drive, feel and action are at the forefront of this sucker. Do yourself a favor and snatch up this album. Download or buy it or borrow it, or whatever. Most importantly, if you’re in the Puget Sound region, get your ass to one of their shows and you’ll walk away nodding in agreement.

You want to drop a disc on a party and keep it moving for the next thirty-some odd minutes? “Absolute Monarchs” – Nuff Said.

~The Gimmer – Enter the Rock Pitt on NWCZRadio.com

http://absolutemonarchs.bandcamp.com/

http://www.goodtodierecords.com/band/absolute-monarchs/

http://www.facebook.com/theabsolutemonarchs