Darklight Corporation - Single Review: Monogod
“Holy riff, Darklight Corporation are back??” were the first words I uttered aloud when this new single
metaphorically landed in my lap. A dozen years back, when I was neck deep in the works of Sepultura and Soulfly, the ever-watchful algorithms of YouTube put me onto this Kiwi band that had meaty guitar hooks, beautiful synth lines, and a vocalist that
sounded unbelievably like Max Cavalera himself. And that day, I became a converted Darklight Corporation fan.
Thus, picture my surprise when the brand new single Monogod showed up. Fronted by Brazilian vocalist Fabio Santos, Chris Prenter on guitars, Tim Mekalick as drummer, and Elliot Chao on bass guitar, the group had released two full-length LPs, gained considerable attention and airplay both here in Aotearoa as well as the US. Clearly the proponents of the band decided it was high time to awaken the beast after a decade’s hiatus.
Immediately after hitting the play button, the listener is treated to an immense barrage of drums, deep bass, and densely-distorted guitars. Like some biomechanical behemoth striding through the air, its gargantuan weight is felt with every step that it takes. Monogod lunges and lurches, the sheer power and muscle is this monster’s primary feature.
To evoke a sense of modernity, there are electronic skitterings throughout Monogod, a common signature in cyberpunk themes. The grinding, industrial main riffs, appropriately balanced with robotic touches is simply brilliant.
Now, as a fan and follower of Darklight Corporation’s earlier works, it was hard not to draw comparisons between Monogod and hits like Down in a Hole or Ramrod 69. The band’s groove metal influences appear to have taken a back seat in this newly-revived sound, and a greater focus is placed on industrial aspects. And that is in no way a bad thing! The group’s aggression and passion can still be heard. The band has previously stated “Influences and genres have changed but the core of Darklight Corporation remained intact”, and this slamming and roaring new single showcases just that.
Again, I’m indescribably excited that Darklight Corporation have finally returned. The team should be very proud of this beastly powerhouse of a revival-single. And if this single is anything to go by, there should be plenty of epic new music from these gents on the horizon.
About Darklight Corporation
“The songs are powerfully heavy, and the gritty industrial keys and electro-metal rhythms are as catchy as Ebola” Paul Martin- Rip It Up
“Heavy/black/death metal may all sound the same to a lot of people but, of all the local purveyors of the genre I have heard, Darklight Corporation sound the best.” David Osten Gifford-Tearaway
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Darklight Corporation
Other Reviews By Steve Shyu
SLICEDUB - Album Review: Grotesque Coil
27 May 2023 // by Steve Shyu
Oskar Simmons Carlsson and James Smith, AKA SLICEDUB. The two-man experimental-electro/dub act hailing from Auckland and Hawkes Bay have brought forth their first major release, entitled Grotesque Coil, released on Auckland label Glass Half Full.
Read More...
These Four Walls - Single Review: Carousel
04 May 2023 // by Steve Shyu
Aotearoa-born and Queensland-based rockers These Four Walls’ mission is well and truly on the move. That mission is to further evolve from their previous LP This is Not a Future, from 2020.
Read More...
Viices - Single Review: Sandcastle
26 Apr 2023 // by Steve Shyu
Today is the day Viices’s new song Sandcastle comes out! The band’s name has been around the live music circuits of Aotearoa for about eight years, under varying iterations of personnel, but the heart and soul of Viices remained.
Read More...
Coridian @ Tuning Fork, Auckland - 01/04/2023
05 Apr 2023 // by Steve Shyu
How could I miss this? Some of my personal favourite alt-rock acts in Tamaki Makaurau, at one of the best live venues in town.
Read More...
Dead Favours - Album Review: Riffing & Yelling Part 2
30 Mar 2023 // by Steve Shyu
One can only imagine what New Zealand’s alt-rock royalty Dead Favours have experienced over the past 18-plus months crafting their new EP, enduring release delays whilst juggling life and working, on top of navigating the weirdness of the past few years. (Come to think, I CAN imagine since my band has been through the same thing BUT this isn’t about me, haha) For those not in the know, this four-piece from Tamaki Makaurau Auckland consists of guitar player and frontman Jared Wrennall, drummer Charlie Smith, guitarist Kyle Wetton, and Alex Elvis on bass guitar.
Read More...
Bad Taste - Single Review: Weird Weekends
25 Mar 2023 // by Steve Shyu
Following their 2021 debut record Bad Taste, hip-hop duo Bad Taste have pressed on with making new music, particularly in creating a second album due out later this year, appropriately titled Bad Taste II. Because why would you name it anything else!
Read More...
The Transits - Single Review: When You Went Away
28 Feb 2023 // by Steve Shyu
In the digital age of today, it’s not uncommon for musicians and artists to collaborate and create music from kilometers, or countries away, and even beyond continents. Such is the case for The Transits, a pop rock indie trio consisting of members from Durban, South Africa and Tamaki Makaurau Auckland.
Read More...
Gig Review: Swerve City @ Ding Dong Lounge, Auckland - 11/02/2023
12 Feb 2023 // by Steve Shyu
As my first live gig review of 2023, it had to be a good line-up. Then I heard that Swerve City had announced a headlining show at Dead Witch, so I knew that had to be it.
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Latest Galleries
NZ Top 10 Singles
- SPRINTER
Dave And Central Cee - PEOPLE
Libianca - CUPID (TWIN VERSION)
Fifty Fifty - LAST NIGHT
Morgan Wallen - DAYLIGHT
David Kushner - FLOWERS
Miley Cyrus - KILL BILL
SZA - CALM DOWN
Rema And Selena Gomez - DIE FOR YOU (REMIX)
The Weeknd And Ariana Grande - ALL MY LIFE
Lil Durk feat. J. Cole
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report A Problem
