Monks Of Mellonwah - Turn The People (Album Review)
Monday, 31 March 2014
Written by Sam Hailes
Monks of Mellonwah's debut album, 'Turn The People', packs a significant punch. The quartet are quickly making a name for themselves in their native Australia, producing quality alternative, melodic and occasionally funk-filled rock music.
The record is packed with deep imagery and arrives backed by a strikingly beautiful, disarming album cover and production from Keith Olsen (Fleetwood Mac, Ozzy Osbourne).
"We have always favoured writing music that builds and climaxes in some epic kind of way,” lead guitarist Joe de la Hoyde told Under The Gun Review last year.
Certainly, the orchestral elements to the band's sound are well delivered and the early bars of Afraid to Die could soundtrack the opening scene of the next Bond film. The title might need work in that case, though.
Monks of Mellonwah cite Muse as a major influence, along with rock giants Pink Floyd and Red Hot Chili Peppers, and at times this can be an issue. On Downfall, the melody and build up behind the "change, you'll always see the change" refrain is identical to Muse's "best, you've got to be the best" on Time Is Running Out.
But, this is a minor quibble. Make no mistake, 'Turn The People' is a quality record. The soaring pop melodies are as pleasing as the lightning guitar solos, while electronic and orchestral moments battle for their time in the spotlight alongside riffs that rightly refuse to fade into the background.
This is a band with a sound much bigger than their current audience, but a release like this is sure to remedy the imbalance. ‘Turn The People’ isn't time-hungry. Easily accessible, the 13 tracks can be enjoyed the first time around. What are you waiting for?
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