Mono Inc. - Welcome to Hell (2018)

But now for the album, which is available here in the Welcome To Hell version. It starts rather quiet and behaving and opens the topic, the plague in Hamburg, excellently. The Heart Of The Raven is a soulful piece, which should work even more in the classic version. Martins voice fits but also like a close eye on this track. Very nice melody, which should also provide live concerts for lighter attacks. Carl Fornia shines with a fine solo. Then the title track Welcome To Hell. Everything is provided here that makes a Hammer Mono Inc. song. Driving rhythm of Katha and Manuel, above the striking voice of Martin Engler. The song was already released as a single and shows that this album can grow up. Long Live Death, also released as a single, captures one immediately. Katha's voice in the background fits the song and should make for ecstatic live. If you know the background of the concept album and get involved in the story, you can understand what is meant to be expressed. Death is merciless, especially in the time of the plague, and does not stop anyone, even if it is packed here in a beautiful melody.

Risk It All is now a bit calmer and waits again with a fine melody. The acoustically played guitar sounds almost harp-like and thus creates a symphonic structure. Also this song I imagine in the classic version. Should sound great. Remarkably again the solo of Carl Fornia. Flies lets fly in front of the inner eye hordes of black flies from the plague victims in the streets. Very vivid. Musically not as compelling as the previous songs. Under A Coal Black Sun then returns with a fitting story about the spreading fire that engulfs a burning ship in the harbor. The appealing melody is recorded by Carl Fornia with the solo and then goes over to the chorus that instantly settles in the head. Again, great sing-along potential is preprogrammed in the live version. The next song has also been released in advance and none other than Eric Fish of Subway To Sally contributes his voice here. Vagabond's Life tells the story of a man who seems to have lost everything and now roams the area as a tramp and is then killed. Here, too, the melody dominates and medieval influences are woven through the intense flute playing.

The funeral song then makes the sad mood of the gloomy Vagabond's Life almost forgotten, although thematically the fear of the people is described, in their panic ignite all the marked houses - with or without residents therein. The song has almost poppy influences, but with the deep voice of Martin Engler they still stay in the right direction in the Dark Rock. It becomes clear again that here the voice of Martin Engler is the tip of the scales. All musicians do a terrific job. But The Voice "Martin" is the figurehead of the Monos. You can recognize him without knowing that it is a track from Mono Inc. This is called well recognition value. Continue with Reign Of Rats and thematically the culmination of the deadly plague. Everything is out of control and the rats dominate the picture. The dark mood is skillfully staged in the track. A strong, powerful bass, played by Manuel Antoni, drives the piece forward. Also, you want to hear more often and stimulates Replaywunsch strongly.

The penultimate piece is then Unconditionally, in which a newborn child must be protected. Carried by the piano, Martin Engler intones this event with great fervor. Strings and pathos merge and make this ballad look impressive. I'm looking forward to the classic version, which should bring new nuances. Then the final track When The Raven Dies Tonight. Here the connection of the raven, created by the rabid masks of the plague doctors, and the mono Inc. symbol is made. Once again, all the stops are drawn and Katha's voice makes the balladesque piece worthy to end. The raven is alone and waiting lonely for his end.