Review by Shadowdoom9 (Andi) for Monolithe - Black Hole District (2024)

Anywhere in the darkest depths of the universe lies a massive vortex of terror and doom. Nothing close to it can escape, and it can even engulf light. It can pull things apart and stretch them thin until they break and scatter particles all around. And when it's all over, the dark void remains. If an offering of progressive death-doom can really work as a soundtrack to this bleak deadly phenomenon, this band knows how to do it right. Welcome...to the Black Hole District!

Two years after their previous album Kosmodrom, this Paris-based doom band, founded by guitarist Sylvain Bégot as a side-project to the defunct Anthemon, released a new album via Hammerheart Records. Black Hole District alternates between one-minute intros and EXACTLY 10-minute epics (a similar aspect to Neurotech's Symphonies II).

In atmospheric mist stands "They Wake Up at Dusk", a soothing intro. "Sentience Amidst the Lights" begins this dark heavy experience, guiding you with spoken vocals before descending into slow rhythms, melodic leads, and vocals ranging from growls to cleans. Next interlude "Elusive Whispers" has melancholic ambient keys. Adding some gentle touches is "To Wander the Labyrinth", then heavy riffs and rhythms touch down alongside the growling delivery, while balanced out with clean harmonies.

The energy is never lost, even when interlude "Suspicion" only consists of spoken vocals over ambience. "Unveiling the Illusion" unleashes guitar aggression in contrast with the string tranquility. Truly one of the greatest standouts here! Calming things down is interlude "Benefit or Hazard", though not without some anxiety-inducing suspense.

"On the Run to Nowhere" is filled with gothic harmony and interesting progressiveness for the more adventurous metalheads' pleasure. One more interlude "Moonfall" opens the entryway to the darkest part of the void. "Those Moments Lost in Time" is the perfect climax of slow doom, as growls and cleans battle it out once more. Sometimes it speeds up slightly while keeping the slow pace. And in the end, all fades away as you hear the spoken voice for the last time.

Black Hole District is for those who want to end the year in the darkest, most melancholic way possible. Sometimes, progressive death-doom can be so intriguing, and just like a black hole, it can grasp every soul it can find. Even the brightest soul!

Favorites: All 5, but the best of them are "Sentience Amidst the Lights", "Unveiling the Illusion", "Those Moments Lost in Time"