British progressive metal band
Monuments |
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 Monuments performing in 2016 |
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| Origin | London, England |
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| Genres | |
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| Years active | 2007–present |
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| Labels | Century Media |
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| Members | John Browne
Mike Malyan
Andy Cizek
Werner Erkelens |
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| Past members | Josh Travis
Neema Askari
Greg Pope
Matt Rose
Anup Sastry
Daniel Lang
Chris Barretto
Olly Steele
Adam Swan |
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Monuments are a British progressive metal band formed by former Fellsilent guitarist, John Browne, and former Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza guitarist, Josh Travis. The band has released four studio albums through Century Media Records: Gnosis (2012), The Amanuensis (2014), Phronesis (2018) and In Stasis (2022).
History
The band was formed by Fellsilent guitarist John Browne and the Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza guitarist Josh Travis in 2007. After various lineup changes, the band signed with Century Media Records in 2012, announcing the addition of singer Matt Rose the same day.[2] Their debut album, Gnosis, came out on 28 August 2012.
The band took part in the Euroblast European Tour with Jeff Loomis, Vildhjarta, and Stealing Axion.[3] Another European tour with Born of Osiris and After the Burial followed in early 2013. By March 2013, the band parted ways with vocalist Matt Rose.[4] In July 2013, it was announced that former Periphery and current Ever Forthright and The HAARP Machine vocalist Chris Barretto had joined the band.[5]
In December 2013, the band announced via Facebook that they had completed their second album.[6] The drums were recorded in Monnow Valley Studio, Wales with Romesh Dodangoda (Motörhead, Sylosis, Bring Me the Horizon), while the rest of the instruments were tracked DIY by Browne, and the vocals were done with Eyal Levi.[7] In April 2014, it was formally announced that their new album, The Amanuensis, would be released on 23 June 2014.
The band played on the Red Bull Studios Live Stage at Download on Sunday 15 June 2014. In March and April 2015, they supported Australian band Karnivool on their UK and European headline tour. Drummer Mike Malyan left the band during August 2015 due to injuries on his back and shoulder[8] and was replaced by Anup Sastry, the former Intervals drummer.[9] They played at Hevy music festival later that month.
On 16 June 2016, Anup Sastry announced on his Facebook page that he was amicably leaving the band, although he returned in 2018 to record drums for the new album, Phronesis.
In support of the release of the new album, Monuments performed a 31-date tour of the United Kingdom and mainland Europe over October and November with main support from Vola.[10] In January 2019 Monuments will be performing headline shows in New Zealand,[11] then on the Australian multi-date music festival Progfest.[12]
On 1 July 2019, Monuments announced that Chris Barretto had departed the band due to "personal reasons." They also announced YouTuber Andy Cizek as their fill-in vocalist for the rest of the tour. On 11 October 2019, Monuments announced that Andy Cizek is now their official vocalist. Less than two months later, former drummer Mike Malyan rejoined the band.[13]
On 12 July 2021, Monuments announced that guitarist Olly Steele had left the band to pursue other musical projects. In January 2022, Monuments fourth album In Stasis was announced with a release date of April 15, 2022. In Stasis features Mick Gordon as co-producer, with Spencer Sotelo of Periphery and ex-vocalist Neema Askari as guests. On 31 January 2023, Monuments announced departure of the bassist Adam Swan to pursue his environmental efforts with Soil Ecology Agriculture. His spot was filled in with Dutch bassist Werner Erkelens of Aviations.[14]
