An engrossing journey that mixes many an influence
Sydney (Australia) metal label Grindhead Records are quickly becoming associated with metal of the most extreme variety, if the name wasn’t already suggesting that already. Then what the hell is industrial/ambient/soundscape/electronica act Roncsipar doing there? Well, it’s because of the link to grind act Long Pig, and their vocalist Vajsz Kornél who has clearly ventured outside of the box associated with his other band to create something very different indeed. Kornél began Roncsipar in 2005 and soon teamed up with Fehér Dávid and their musical vision of that blurs elements of Scorn, Ministry, O.L.D., Head Of David and Neurosis was born.
What’s instantly noticeable about Antimonumentum is the fact that the vocals are not sung in English. Instead, they are sung in their native Hungarian which, much like Rammstein’s German vocals, brings out a fiery passion in the delivery, which provides a stark and interesting contrast against the sinister musical soundscape behind them. The very Head Of David styled Nailed Thoughts soon settles into a rhythmic groove thanks to the creepy bass line making a stronger impression than the quicker yet lacking Desiredius Erasmus. The gentle Famine Mind is characterized by the variations on a theme of a single riff and some hauntingly soft, whispered vocals, whilst Clinical Sentiment-Terminal sounds a little like Videodrone meets Orgy thanks to the distorted bassline, eerie keyboard snippets, but with the uniqueness of those Hungarian lyrics and vocals.
From the gentle and effective beginnings of Can I Do?, Roncsipar build the track into an angst ridden sludge fest towards the end, before the bounce of Kibera offers up a different mood yet again, as does the disco rock moments that appear at times during Immanu El. Sounding vaguely like New Order’s Blue Monday, Draconian Pulsation kicks off with a double kick rhythm that defines the song through and through, leaving little room for much else within, before the generally chaotic and forgettable U'l LiK offers little to spare me from reaching for the Skip button. Thankfully, the album’s finale, the epic 19 minute title track Antimonumentum, takes you on a fantastic journey of moods, effortlessly mixing the light with the dark, before sneakily including a Hungarian sung version of includes Head Of David’s Dog Day Sunrise at the 15 min mark which wraps it all up.
Grindheads will be disappointed if they expected the label of the same name to churn out another furiously intense hyper blast of noise, as Antimonumentum is the antithesis of that. There’s a variety of influences and styles present here which makes this one well worth a listen if any of the previously mentioned artists tickle your fancy.
(Grindhead Records)
