𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐑𝐘𝐏𝐓𝐒 - 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐁𝐔𝐌 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐊 & 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐘 𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐋…
On November 27, 2001, Enslaved released their sixth full-length studio album Monumension via Osmose Productions.
(Slipcase Cover)
It is Enslaved's first album featuring lyrics sung entirely in English, although some versions of the album include the Old Norse track Sigmundskvadet as a bonus. The album also marked the launch of a long-time collaboration with artist/painter Truls Espedal.
Background:
The band's early music was rooted in traditional Black Metal and Viking Metal, however the band began to move away from this sound with Monumension and the follow-up Below the Lights (2003). It was at this point that the band was reduced to its two founding members, Bjørnson and Kjellson. They began to incorporate elements of Progressive Rock, Jazz, and other distinct influences into their sound, and over time have continued this progression.
Kjellson has named Pink Floyd, King Crimson, RUSH, Genesis, Darkthrone, early Mayhem, and Bathory as important influences on the band's sound.
Monumension was the last Enslaved album to feature guitarist R. Kronheim; Arve Isdal would replace him on Below the Lights.
Noteworthy:
Prior to entering the studio in July 2001, to record Monumension, Enslaved headlined the first Inferno Metal Festival in Norway.
Supporting Tour & Festivals:
Enslaved embarked on The Metal Maniacs Metal X Mas Ball Tour 2001, which also featured Macabre, Electric Wizard, Diabolic and Scar Culture. The tour also featured Moonspell, Lacuna Coil and Penance on the select dates below.
Dec. 05 - Trocader - Philadelphia, PA (w/MOONSPELL, LACUNA COIL)
Dec. 07 - North Six - Willamsburg (Brooklyn), NY
Dec. 08 - Jarrods - Attleboro, MA
Dec. 09 - Jaxx - Springfield, VA
Dec. 10 - Peabody's - Cleveland, OH
Dec. 11 - The Strand Theatre - Pittsburgh, PA (w/PENANCE)
Dec. 12 - Creepy Crawl - St. Louis, MO
Dec. 13 - Double Door - Chicago, IL
Dec. 14 - Riley's Rockhouse- Aurora, IL
Dec. 15 - Shelter (St. Andrews Basement) - Detroit, MI
Dec. 16 - Howards Club H - Bowling Green, OH
Dec. 18 - Reverb - Toronto, ONT
Dec. 19 - Foufounes Electriques - Montreal, QUE
Dec. 21 - El-N-Gee Club - New London, CT
Enslaved also embarked on a small run of dates in Norway and the UK, including the Betong in Oslo, Norway on December 23, 2001, Trondheim Öst in Trondheim, Norway on March 2, 2001, the Bradford Rio in Bradford, England on March 16, 2002 with Decapitated, and The Cathouse in Glasgow, Scotland on March 17, 2002 (also with Decapitated).
Critical Reception:
From reviews the album has received, Monumension has been generally well received.
AllMusic praised the album, calling it "astounding" and "truly daring".
Chronicles of Chaos' review was generally favorable, though writing, “Monumension occasionally comes across as too over-the-top in terms of its experimentation, and the album as a whole lacks some focus and consistency."
Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. — E.N. Wells
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