Monkey3 – Welcome To The Machine

Are you ready for a soundtrack album without an existing motion picture? Are you ready for a soundtrack inspired by film legends like A Space Odyssey, Solaris or 1984? I am, and all I can say is “Welcome To The Machine” of Monkey3. Don’t expect too many lyrics, better expect none. It is a fully instrumental album of the four Swiss Instrumental Psych Rock pioneers.

Welcome To The Machine

Ignition

We have more than ten minutes time to close our eyes, start the spaceship and fly away with spherical sounds. It is a rough ride through stardust and remains of dead stars. Once we escape from these dangers, we can slow down and enjoy the journey to planets unseen, worlds to be discovered. Distorted guitar riffs prepare for a tough landing. From outer space to stratosphere to atmosphere to the ground in a blink of the eye…

Collision

On our way down to the planet to explore, we barely escape from a “Collision”. Once escaped and landed we find ourselves on a trip through an artificial machine world at the end of its life span. The reality of destruction is closer than we have ever thought. In the end, everything crashes into pieces. Just get a glimpse on the video:

Kali Yuga

We find ourselves abandoned in a destroyed world. The acoustic and very dark guitar intro underlines our desperation. The whole song, although gaining strength and power again as this lost world remains dark and hopeless. Will we survive? Will we return home? Are we lost in outer space forever? All we know is, it is a tough journey with no happy ending in sight.

Rackman

The fourth song is something like the single of the album. Thus, of course, there is a video which tells the story of “Rackman” and artificial intelligence that has enslaved humans. Don’t you think, that this is very similar to the situation we find ourselves in at the moment, with all the social media and other options we can choose from? But do we really have a choice, or are we being steered by an AI already? Think about and compare the song’s video with your life in the 21^st century.

Collapse

The closer is the longest song of album. It builds up slowly. I feel like waking up in an undefined world of irritation after a long life of battles and struggles. Do I know where I will go? Do I see the path out of the dark, into the light? Am I snow blind or blinded by the light? I don’t know. Help me to get out of here! I need to escape! I must survive. My rescue comes in the name of Monkey3. They are the guide, the candle in the wind, the torch in the tunnel to set me free. The instrumental work of this masterpiece honestly is not from this world. “Collapse” by far is the most complex song of the album and a well-chosen last track. It ends the story with the ending we all deserve. Which ending we deserve is up to you.

A space trip there and back

Wow, that was a blast. I am not very much into the world of instrumental albums and bands but Monkey3 blew me away. Welcome to the machine is a perfect soundtrack for the film you create when you close your eyes. Leave reality behind and let your visions come true in your inner eye. Let your imagination rule your thoughts and your mind. Wake up and compare this fiction with reality. Is it so far away?

Short facts:

Welcome To The Machine

Label: Napalm Records

Genre: Instrumental Psych Rock

Release Date: 23.02. 2024

 

 

MONKEY3 WELCOME TO THE MACHINE TOUR

EUROPE 2024 PART 1

 

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Online:

Monkey3

Please buy merch and physical music or downloads from the bands official sources and don’t stream it for free because it steals your artists’ income.

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Proofreading and co-writing by DerminBoad

Photo Credit: Giuseppe Aufiero