A title suggesting urban brutalism, how fitting for the 5th MONOLITH album on HANDS – and his 12th in total – a very special addition to the eminent discography of Eric van Wonterghem. As passionate as ever, this is arguably the most comprehensive Monolith album so far, encompassing a wide range of moods and making the best use of his vast background in producing: Rhythmic and repetitive hard dance music, but also atmospheric and inspiring listening, truly intense 75 minutes.
The Concrete Playground has something to offer for everyone – dark and secluded tracks for contemplation like the opener “Immortal” or “The Gate of Light”, cheeky electro quotes can be found in “Concrete Playground”, “Push” or “Gallium Element”, and of course there is lots of industrial techno action going on: Some more on the stomping techno side of things (“The Hunter”, “Revelation”), some filled to the brim with industrial wails and screeches (“Blade on Skin”). What sets this album apart is the appearance of a lot of surprisingly nuanced and layered moments, such as when a melodic ambience comes hovering above the dance floor destruction in “The Sky Turns Red”.
Lots of variation in the drum programming, exceptional sound design and the embrace of the emotional: “Concrete Playground” works in a highly fascinating dissonance, and is set to leave a big mark!