Spiraling out of a majestic landscape & its untamed environment, « Sphere » stands for an abstract interpretation of nature’s phenomenons, their geometric patterns, and colorful elements.
The backbone of Monkey3’s “Sphere“ is a solid axis around which revolves a multitude of distinct atmospheres – like a wild journey along a winding road – sometimes brutal, sometimes sublime. Here the instrumental roots of the band refract in a prismatic soundscape where each musical beam finds its own space; and yet at the same time they all come together to weave a massive wall of sound. Moreover a feminine & graceful touch enhances the overall artwork, allowing the audience to travel through a wide panel – from the depths of Death Valley to the magnitude of Mount Ida – like a cosmic trip through a meditative canal. And whatever this opus might be, « Sphere » could be reminiscent of an ellipsis in which one omits part of what is being said in order for the listener to fill in the blanks with one’s own imagination, and make it its own.
01. Spirals
02. Axis
03. Prism
04. Mass (feat. Bumblefoot)
05. Ida
06. Ellipsis
Drums: Walter
Bass: Kevin
Guitars: Boris
Keyboards, Sounds and Acoustic Guitars: dB
Lead guitar on “Mass“: Bumblefoot
Recorded by Raphaël Bovey at Blend Studio (Lutry, Switzerland)
Mixed and mastered by Raphaël Bovey at MyRoom Studio (Lausanne, Switzerland)
Artwork by Sebastian Jerke
Written and played by Monkey3 except “Mass“ written and played by Monkey3 and Ronald Jay Blumenthal
Produced by Monkey3
Label: Napalm Records
«9/10» Rock Tribune (BE)
«4/5» Inferno (NL)
«85/100» Aardschok (NL)
«It is bombastic, crystal clear, loud and frankly perfect.» lordsofmetal.nl
«Monkey3 undeniably delivered an extraordinary album.» zwartmetalen.com
«What a cool album this is!» brothersinrow.com
«Powerful, dynamic, sonic masterpiece.» DaMusic
« Monkey3 continues to make me trip, cool vibes coming from this one. Heavy, mesmerizing killer jams. Dig it 100%. Go get this record !! » John Garcia (Kyuss / Vista Chino)
«…it’s a colossal, astral trip that will linger on until the world around us crumbles to dust.» New Noise Magazine
«This is a near-perfect album. 9.5/10.» Metal Asylum
«Here is another great album for all to hear among many other great albums being released in 2019. 5 stars !» progarchives.com
«Sphere is one of those albums where you listen intently because you don’t want to miss out on a note in the music.» madnesstocreation.net
«Everything offered on Sphere has been carefully crafted with that unique MONKEY3 interstellar instrumental sound.» brutalplanetmag.com
«Sublime !» denpafuzz.wordpress.com
«Meditative psych rock for the stoner metal comedown» Loudwire
«Sphere by Monkey3 is a powerful, instrumental stoner rock record that also succeeds in taking you on a cosmic journey. Highly Recommended.»Torsten Kinsella (God is an Astronaut)
«Monkey3 delivers their most outstanding and emotional ride ! Epic !!!» Matte (My Sleeping Karma)
«Album of the month» Eclipsed Magazine (DE)
«8.5/10» Rock Hard (DE)
«A noteworthy album by a notable band…6/7» Metal Hammer (DE)
«Intoxicating, devious, atmospheric» Laut.de
«Monkey3 may be an earthbound band from Switzerland, but their music is not entirely of this world.» Plattentests.de
«A perfect musical trip.» windkrachtdertien.blogspot.com
«8/10» Rock Hard (FR)
«…it’s hovering from start to finish…5/5» Daily-Rock (CH)
«an exemplary record both aerial and ballsy…9/10» Desert-rock.com
«An exciting ecstatic trance from start to finish…» unitedrocknations.com
«…a hypnotic atmosphere as few groups know how to maintain.» Bretagne-actuelle.com
«this album is perfect!» culturaddict.com
«…simply unique…» lahabitacion235.com
«Here is a release that is by far the best I’ve heard so far this year.» Scream Magazine
«The experiment has succeeded, the monkeys are again going into space, and jumping on their spaceship could make you feel sensations never even imagined before.» doommabbestia.com
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