Label: Fetzner Death Records
Genre: Black Metal
Length: 42:01
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Monhell are a black metal duo from Spain, formed in 2024. Made up of musicians Monhell and Penumbra, the band have been quick to announce their debut album, A Last Sigh of Pain, due for release on 25 April via German label Fetzner Death Records. This 10-track opus of atmospheric, melodic black metal totals 42:01 minutes. It will be available as a digital version, a digipak CD and a limited edition cassette.
From the opening track, Fade to Dust, the listener is plunged into a sound universe that is both dark and ethereal. The slow, immersive music is driven by Hellish vocals, which at times take on a more expressive narrative, as at 3:37 on Shadows of the Abbey, or a surprisingly clear vocal, as at 4:12 on Lotus in the Endless Grey. The production is good and allows each instrument to be clearly distinguished, with a mix that particularly highlights the vocals. The pace of the album remains stable overall, even a little monotonous at times, but Bright Falls breaks this dynamic by speeding up on several passages, offering more percussive drums. The soundscape takes on more epic forms, as on the track A Requiem for Traditions.
Certain moments on the album particularly stand out. At 2:51 on Fade to Dust, the drums impose a change of pace followed by an evocative solo that instantly captivates. Paths and Betrayal, an instrumental track, establishes a dark and ominous atmosphere with a distinctly occult feel. I was also captivated by the atmosphere that emerges from 0:57 onwards on The Last Seal, a track which, for some reason I can't explain, reminds me of the film The Seventh Seal. Lotus in the Endless Grey impressed me with the transition from clean vocals to high-pitched screams at 4:36, a particularly intense moment. As for Bright Falls, the solo and the melodies from 4:23 onwards are powerful and are accompanied by drums that redouble their intensity.
Among my favourites, Shadows of the Abbey stands out for its songwriting and immersive atmosphere. The Last Seal remains a memorable experience, while Lotus in the Endless Grey is, without a doubt, my favourite track. Its structure, though similar to the other tracks, seems to me the most nuanced, and the vocal performance is at its best. Bright Falls stands out for its raw energy and remarkable drumming.
A Last Sigh of Pain is Monhell's accomplished debut album, which, despite a certain linearity in tempo, makes up for it with rich atmospheres and well-placed moments of intensity. An album that fits into a repertoire of melodic, atmospheric black metal, this recording is destined for fans of melancholic black metal.
I'll leave you the links to get your copy of the album at Fetzner Death Records - Website or on the Bandcamp below