#14 - Top of 2019

Monasterium - Church of Bones (Nine Records)

Now that we are slowly moving into autumn, Monasterium's second full length album fits with the weather and the mood due to its gloomy doom sound. The Polish epic doometallers who also graced our 2010s Top Doom Metal albums are back having stepped up from their debut album and they do not shy away with the first track "Church of Bones" showcasing that they know how to play traditional doom metal with a touch of Messiah-era Candlemass thanks to the lead singer's (Michał Strzeleck) clear and theatrical/operatic vocals! The doomy awesomeness is continued throughout the record with high pitched vocals and memorable guitar riffs in the imposing "La Danse Macabre" and an amazingly catchy chorus in the melodic "Liber Loagaet". But do not fear! The second part of the album does not lose momentum and is equally heavy and epic both lyrically and musically with the most shining example of an instant classic doom metal song being "The Order of the Dragon" which is another EPIC highlight of the album for all band members (though the lead singer tends to outshine them following in the steps of Messiah Marcolin).  Wrapping up the album, "The Last Templar" with its narration around the Crusades (and the struggle between Grand Master of the Knights Templar Jacques De Molay and King Philip IV) is last but not least as it is packed with amazing riffs, a catchy sing-along chorus leaving the listener wondering when they are planning to release their next album! Overall, Monasterium succeed in mixing the classy epic doom sounds which create an eerie atmosphere with interesting lyrical themes including stories about the knights templar, magic and ancient Greece, differentiating themselves from stock Candlemass-copy bands and leaving their epic/heavy mark in the doom scene!


94.85/100

Below is the official lyric video for the song "The Last Templar".