Detailed Reviews [Necromonkey - 2014 - "Live At Pianos, NYC"]

Prolusion. Necromonkey is a duet from Sweden consisting of Mattias Olsson, drummer and one of the founding members of Anglagard, and keyboardist David Lundberg of Gosta Berlings Saga. This album is, probably, so far their only live record, judging by the title, made at the New York club Pianos, in 2014. The record involves two extra members – guitarist Einar Baldursson, also of Gosta Berlings Saga, and bassist Kringle Harmonist. The material consists of 6 songs, 3 of which are from other studio albums, and the other 3 cannot be found anywhere else, although Kinky Panda would later appear on a release titled "The Shadow of the Blind Man".

Analysis. The recording quality is not so good – mono, probably, made by one mic, the bass line not very clear and many sounds flattened, at least in my headphones, and with talking club people heard all the way in the background, when the music is not loud (though clapping occasionally). The low sound quality in many places does not make it possible to fully enjoy the music built largely on sound effects, yet it is enough to get an idea of the new material, and this is what makes this record valuable. The new songs quite fit the band’s other material, dark and imaginative. Track 1 is the first of the three new songs. The very first chords accentuated with drums define the song’s gloomy soundscape. It is composed of alternating relatively energetic, meditative drumless and rhythmic hypnotising parts bringing to mind early King Crimson, all in odd beats. A very nice composition. The next track, 'Every Dead Indian', is a version of the song with the same name from the first album, "Necroplex". Although long, it is quite simply structured. It lacks the original slow second part and, with little melodic development, is built on growing tension, which appears from the very beginning with the siren-like sound, achieved through addition of instruments. The composition speeds up several times through its course, and in the end it gradually slows to a stop. 'Kinky Panda' is a short song, much more Crimsonesque than 'Being Pluto'. Its variant on "The Shadow of the Blind Man" is almost two times as long, lasting 8+ minutes. Track 4 is 2.5 minutes longer than its original from the debut album and is too lengthy and, perhaps, most impacted by the low record quality, thus sounding too straightforward, with many sonic effects lost, including those imitating the buzz of hornets. 'The Storm' is not a raging one tearing things apart, but very gentle, slow and thoughtful, with no thunder in the form of drums heard (in this respect, the lively chat of club people sounds somewhat contrasting). It then smoothly merges into the first theme of 'A Glimpse of Possible Endings' and is thus a nice intro to the epic represented on track 6. The closing track sounds less interesting to me than its counterpart from the studio album of 2014, and the culminating final part seems curtailed and unconvincing.

Conclusion. I have a high opinion of the fully instrumental act Necromonkey, which are very representative of the late Scandinavian prog, arousing images of long winters, permanent heavy clouds above the head and unfussy lifestyle, yet very original, using electronics very diversely and inventively, creating unusual atmosphere. I’d particularly recommend their first two studio albums. This live one, however, may somewhat spoil the impression of the band if you are new to it, because the recording does not reflect the full scope of the music’s sonic diversity. As for their concerts, judging by what I have found on the internet, they are interesting and vibrant. The question is whether the duo continues to give concerts and exist a project at all, because nothing has been heard of Necromonkey since 2016. Perhaps because Lundberg is now involved in Gosta Berlings Saga.

Progmessor: January 2023
The Rating Room