Blood Monolith The Calling of Fire CD Review

Side projects are often hit or miss within the extreme metal world. There are a few notable exceptions, (Lock Up, Comecon, Disincarnate come to mind) but by and large, they leave me wanting. Oftentimes they end up sounding just like the progenitors’ main bands. Well, good news. Blood Monolith’s Profound Lore debut The Calling of Fire can be placed in the exception pile. 

After exiting Vastum in 2023, Shelby Lermo (Nails) tapped the talents of guitarist Tommy Wall (Undeath), bassist Nolan (Genocide Pact) and drummer Aidan Tydings-Lynch (Brain Tourniquet) and they quickly began to write for the debut. Given their individual pedigrees, the songwriting and performances are all top notch, and I can happily report they aren't just treading the water of their full-time gigs. 

In a field that is vastly overpopulated and has some very serious competition, Blood Monolith stand apart because they employ speed laden, brutish simplicity in favor of any atmosphere or dissonance or melodic parts. There are riffs for days amongst blast beats, very adept guitar solos and vitriolic growls. The songs (8 in total) are well developed and leave little to the imagination. However, my only complaint is the production seems to have been done a bit of a disservice, as it's over loud and renders much of the low-end indiscernible. 

The Calling of Fire (with cover art from Rudimentary Peni’s Nick Blinko) is an enjoyable listen and a worthy addition to any brutal death metal fan’s collection. Just don't be surprised if you're left feeling like you've been beaten up across its 28 minutes…

Standout tracks: Trepanation Worm, The Owl in Daylight, Slaughter Garden 

~TB