Monks Of Mellowah - Turn The People

Sounding like the illegitimate lovechild of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Muse, Monks of Mellonwah may have a slightly odd name but damn do these lads deploy funky riffs like nothing I’ve heard before. The kickass cover artwork shows exactly what’s in store, funk, colours and strange happenings for all. Declaring themselves as an Indie/Electronic band Monks of Mellonwah have previously won awards for “Best Indie Rock Band” and “Best International Act”. Turn The People is their debut album.

Opener and lead single “Ghost Stories” slowly coils and burns into an anthemic climax and is over far too soon, whereas “Vanity” builds upon a riff in the same style as Velvet Revolver. When even the electronic elements of an album can carry emotions you know that you are into something big. Monks of Mellonwah are able to mash together minimalistic moments with heart pounding, life affirming choruses.  An all too common feature in releases like this is lyrics that do not live up to the technical and expressive music. I’m glad to say that the lyrical content here is mature and often adds that little extra to a track. Even to go far enough to make a listener feel exactly what a track is about. One of the standout tracks that does this is “Tear Your Hate Apart”.

Nice to know I failed you again
I'm sinking, stumbling I don't know the way
Nice to know you'll all be OK
My only question
What remains of me?

Monks of Mellonwah have constructed something a little special here, an album that conveys a palette of emotions whilst still being easy to pick up. Prepare when this drops people, this will be the start of something big.

Words by Jack Webb