Monarch!

Monarch! is a French drone and doom metal group from Bayonne, France, active since 2002. The group works in doom metal, drone, metal and rock, and is associated with the label On The Moon Records. Its line-up includes Shiran Kaïdine and Robert MacManus.

Style and sound

Monarch! plays very slow, heavy, feedback-driven music rooted in funeral doom, doom metal, sludge and drone. The group’s sound is described through long, glacial songs built from low-end frequencies, cavernous drums, amplified distortion and harsh vocals. Its music is linked with the traditions of bands such as Khanate, Burzum, Corrupted, the Melvins, Noothgrush and Black Sabbath.

Visual presentation

The group also uses a distinctive visual style for its releases, combining deceptively cute imagery with influences from Sanrio, Japanese animation, European graffiti, weirdo hardcore and skateboard culture.

Releases

Monarch! begins releasing music in 2004 with Advance Tape. Its later discography includes the self-titled Monarch, Elysiüm Monarch Split, Speak Of The Sea, Dead Men Tell No Tales, Die Tonight, Dawn of the Catalyst, Mer Morte and Sabbat Noir. Releases appear on labels including Solitude, Throne Records, Crucial Blast, Heathen Skulls, 20 Buck Spin and Grey Daturas.

Line-up history

Robert MacManus has previously been identified as a drummer who comes from Melbourne, Australia, and was formerly part of Grey Daturas. Earlier line-ups also include Emily Bresson on vocals and bass, and MicHell Hammer on bass, with Hammer responsible for the band’s artwork, typography and imagery.