Perseverance pays off for Monolyth.
In 2025, following a highly successful crowdfunding campaign, Amaury Durand (vocals), Julien Dijoux (guitar), Batt Cauchy (drums), Larry Etienne (guitar, Serenius), and Crypp (bass, ex-Except One) are proud to present the band’s fourth album, Seeds Of Perseverance.
The album opens with The Harvest, a fairly bright introduction that quickly darkens with the arrival of percussion and then saturation, leading us to Regenesis, the first composition that immediately reveals its Old School roots. The sound calms down for a moment, even making room for clean vocals, then it flares up again and makes us want to bang our heads during the solos, taking advantage of a fairly steady rhythm to allow ourselves a moment of levity before the final, which leads to the energetic Prison Life and its devastating groove. The track is undoubtedly perfect for crowd movements, alternating aggressive sounds with catchy modern touches, but above all Amaury’s vocals, which go wild before moving on to Better Off Somewhere Else, where the roots are relatively calmer but just as motivating. The track is relatively more accessible, still benefiting from its harmonics that compete almost constantly, but Like Razor Blades takes over and offers magnificent piercing leads, making the composition quite massive while offering infectious energy. This Void Deep Inside offers us a striking duality between violence and melancholy, but the break reminds us that the band still has a firm grasp on its rage before granting us a moment of levity with the introduction of As My World Crumbles. The return of saturation is as furious as it is majestic, coloring the rest of the track with its unifying atmosphere before charging again on A Wolf Among Us, a much rawer but at the same time very polished composition that doesn’t hesitate to hit the mark. Time quickly takes over and exposes us directly to its ferocity and jerky riffs, but High & Low once again calms the spirits with its vaporous touch that tempers things before Into Oblivion crushes us with its devastating blast and thick rhythm. Unfortunately, the track is quite short, but The Tearing takes over to continue hammering us with its groove between the soaring choruses, but also with sharp leads, unlike Searching For…, which serves as another moment of levity led by the vocalist and a very soft guitar. The sound explodes again as soon as The Unexpected Flame begins, offering us a truly vindictive dose of Melodic Death Metal lasting more than five minutes before passing the torch to Perseverance, where Metalcore touches are at work to make the last track on the album one of the most diverse, but also one of the most intense.
With their previous album, Monolyth showed us how they had evolved, and Seeds Of Perseverance confirms that this evolution perfectly suits them! Still rooted in furious Melodic Death Metal, the band also allows itself more modern influences to sharpen its catchy style.
90/100
A few questions for the band Monolyth about the release of their new album Seeds of Perseverance.
Hello, and first of all, thank you for taking the time to talk to me! Without using any style labels such as “melodic death” or anything else, how would you describe the band Monolyth?
Monolyth: Hi! Thank you for giving us your time and the opportunity to talk about our new album!
Amaury (vocals): Monolyth is above all a story of passion and human adventure. Music is what brought us together, but now that we know each other, it flows from that and not the other way around, to the point that it becomes almost secondary. As the years go by, the band is becoming more of a collective where the bonds between us are strong, and where everyone has their place and a say. As for the rest, even if our early musical influences can be traced back to a certain label that we won’t name, everyone’s tastes allow us to enrich our music. But the key words have always been the search for effectiveness without giving in to simplicity, a groove and a melodic sense that is as catchy as possible, while allowing ourselves to push the limits, from the most laid-back to the most intense tracks, with often introspective and universal themes in which everyone can find themselves and share their emotions.
Larry (guitar): This is a dream team that has found its soul over time between strong and personal social and psychological themes, a passion for metal music (especially Swedish Metal), but also and above all, a deeply intimate and personal human adventure.
Where does the name Monolyth come from and how do you personally relate it to the band’s music?
Amaury: It was the name of a song, right at the beginning of the band’s history… in 2005, when we still had no idea what we wanted to call ourselves. The song disappeared, but the name became the band’s name.
Your fourth album, Seeds of Perseverance, is coming out at the end of September. How do you feel within the band? Have you had any feedback about it yet?
Amaury: It’s an ambitious album like we’ve never done before. It lives up to its name! We put our heart and soul into every aspect of it in every way possible, and even though the process was sometimes challenging, we’re super proud of the result. The few people we’ve shared it with so far love it. We didn’t necessarily need that feedback to be convinced that we had something huge and very solid, but it’s always very gratifying to have that confirmation.
Larry: It’s an album that was very demanding, in the sense that it often required us to step outside our comfort zone and give more of ourselves than was reasonable. Nevertheless, we’re very proud of it because we rose to every challenge that came our way, and we can see that in everything that came out of it. Most of the feedback has been very good, people seem excited about the album, so that just motivates us even more!
How would you sum up Seeds of Perseverance in three words?
Amaury: “Perseverance,” first of all, obviously! But also ‘authenticity’ and “accomplishment.” We put so much of ourselves into this album, more than ever before. From the attention to detail in the composition to the artwork, we pushed ourselves to the limit. Then, and I know it’s the same for the others in their own way, in their own journey, but personally, this album is the logbook of several years that were extremely charged with emotions, questioning, the search for truth, development, and every track exudes that from the first to the last second.
Larry: I would say Tenacity, Devotion, and Evolution. It’s a very rich project for us, both humanly and artistically. It carries as many of our scars as it does our desires for our audience. A strong, raw desire to support, encourage, soothe, and entertain our listeners and viewers.
Crypp (bass): If I had to choose three words to describe Seeds of Perseverance, I would choose: Seeds – of – Perseverance ^^ More seriously, the words “hope,” “confidence,” and “perseverance” sum up the spirit of this album. For many of us, music accompanies us through every moment of our lives. It was important for us to inspire these moments in our own way, both for ourselves and for those who listen to it.
Julien (guitar): We’ve known each other for a while, and you know that my only answer would have been “Seeds – of – Perseverance,” but Crypp was faster for this, haha. So I feel obliged to give a serious answer… “Perseverance,” obviously, otherwise we wouldn’t be here talking about it, “commitment,” both to this project and to each other, and ‘serenity’ or “accomplishment,” which will drive the rest of our musical adventures.
How did the composition process for the album Seeds of Perseverance go? Did you notice any changes compared to your previous productions?
Larry: For years, this album had a latent structure that changed as the line-up and events changed. Then, with the latest change, my arrival and then Crypp‘s arrival in the band, an important question of identity arose: what is Monolyth in 2025? If Monolyth is defined by the five of us, from the newcomer to one of the founding members, what form would our music take in response to that? There were very long discussions, research, and questions before we arrived at a necessary and complex balance and understanding. This was reflected in the rewriting of the album: every detail was thought through and updated. New songs were born, others were adapted, some were abandoned, etc. We used new techniques for composing, but also for communicating with each other. In my opinion, it’s an album of rebirth, of reappropriation. The goal was clear: for Seeds of Perseverance to be a collective album that embodies our shared richness, particularly in our individual differences, while remaining particularly attentive to the coherence of the project. It’s this subtle blend of richness, variety, coherence, and fidelity that makes this album a unique piece in the band’s history.
Crypp: The composition of this new album has been an incredible bonding experience for the band, with the stabilization of its lineup and a project as important and intimate as a new album. The addition of Larry (ex-Serenius) on guitar and myself (ex-Except One, ex-Explicit Human Porn) on bass has brought new sensibilities and approaches to the music. Since the last album, Monolyth had a closet full of compositions, with many moments that each musician had experienced translated into songs. But there was also a desire to offer something new. From the outset, the project was a collaborative effort with one important motto: “Make Monolyth, because Monolyth is us.” Each musician worked hard to ensure that every note, every riff, every break came from deep within them and wasn’t just something that worked well for others. Seeds of Perseverance is truly part of something personal and intimate that the band shares, not as a work that “has to” work, but as a “work that speaks to those who recognize themselves in it.” But a new step/adventure compared to our previous productions was working in the recording studio with the talented Thibault Bernard from CONVULSOUND STUDIO (Kamizol-K, Vertex, etc.), who recorded, mixed, and mastered the album. Far from the old, long, and complex self-produced recording sessions, his ear, experience, and advice throughout this new stage for the band allowed us to push our sound universe. In the past, the band did a lot of the work on their own. This time, working with an experienced professional allowed us to take a step back and look at each song from a different perspective. It was a pleasure to work with him (and to test both his patience and his serenity, haha), and we are proud of the result of this collaboration!
The band’s sound is a mix of Melodic Death Metal and more modern influences, sometimes even verging on Metalcore. How do you manage to create your own unique sound?
Amaury: And we could add other influences, such as Nu Metal, Thrash, Prog, and Djent. The rest comes naturally, or… almost.
Larry: Our “signature” is also a mix. Between the riffs and melodies, the messages delivered through the lyrics, the stage performance, and our online content, everything is geared towards touching the audience and making them feel understood, supported, and loved. Of course, we have our musical desires, with as many hard-hitting riffs as epic moments, but we hope that Monolyth can be defined by more than a musical genre label, and that our soul will be perceived through our different facets.
Which bands would you cite as your influences? How have they evolved over time to create your current mix?
Larry: The band’s roots are undeniably steeped in Swedish metal, with bands such as In Flames and Soilwork. However, with this new album aiming to integrate the DNA of each of Monolyth‘s members and create a united team, new satellites are gravitating around this primary influence. We could mention Gojira, Unlucky Morpheus, Limp Bizkit, or even Shaka Ponk. These are flavorful additions that aren’t the main ingredient, but they’ve allowed us to enrich our recipe, while ensuring at every stage that our product was consistent and digestible.
Amaury: In fact, even the bands that influenced our early songs have evolved, sometimes towards more Prog, more modern styles, etc., and their evolution is inspiring; it made us want to explore too.
Julien: In the context of Monolyth, my influences are very clearly in Swedish Melodic Death Metal, between In Flames and Dark Tranquillity from all periods, At the Gates for the rawer side, and The Haunted for the thrashy fight. Although I’m the guy with the most diverse influences in this band (as I answer your question, I’ve just listened to the Beastie Boys, Metallica, Frozen Shadows, and Gardenian…), paradoxically, I’m not necessarily the one who brings the most experimentation to the table. I’m an Old School guy. We said we’d play Melodic Thrash/Death metal, there are rules, I stick to them, it’s like bowling, it’s approved!
How did you decide on the themes addressed in the songs? How did you choose which tracks to reveal to present the album?
Larry: The themes of Monolyth‘s songs have always been introspective and intimate. Amaury has been writing them for over 18 years now. So he was the one who managed the search for subjects and how to approach them. The album mainly deals with relationships, connections with others, torment and appeasement, and finding solutions. During the production of the album, a thematic progression emerged. You’ll notice that the songs, while not necessarily related, have a common thread, that they belong to the same universe.
Amaury: I always write when I’m feeling a strong emotion, whatever it may be. This results in fairly personal subjects, but I strip them of anything that might prevent our listeners from relating to them. I talk about my doubts, my disappointments, my addiction problems, my desire to be happy, to find myself and feel free, proud of who I am and what I accomplish in my life. These are fairly universal themes. Once again, the choice of tracks to feature was a collective decision. We exchanged our opinions on the tracks, their unique qualities, their themes, melodies, etc. Some tracks have already been selected in advance for ideas for future music videos and other content. You’ll see in due course, hehe.
Crypp: An album is not a single, because each song is part of an emotion for a project that is bigger than a sound you listen to once on a streaming site playlist. An album is not an EP, because there is plenty of time to put in place all the subtlety of what we have to say. So, Seeds of Perseverance is a snapshot, a timeless emotion of a moment that all the members of the band are experiencing and sharing.
I know it’s a difficult question, but do you have a favorite track on this album? Or one that felt the most natural to compose?
Amaury: We are all extremely attached to all the tracks on the album. Personally, I find it hard to imagine not playing any of them in concert. In fact, that’s something we’ve just sorted out, and it was torture, whether we considered them from a personal point of view or for what they could bring to the band’s set! Now, if we had to name one track that was easy to compose, I would say Into Oblivion. We gathered some riff ideas, wrote the rest in the heat of the moment, and the final version came out very quickly without us feeling like we needed to go back to it.
Larry: I obviously have a personal connection to As My World Crumbles because of how it was written, but I don’t like to put it above the other songs. It’s just a little personal connection.
Julien: In terms of personal pride, without saying it’s my favorite song, there’s Perseverance, my baby on this album. It’s a big track with a beautiful progression, a catchy chorus, and a finish that’s completely new for Monolyth, which completely contradicts what I said earlier about my contribution in terms of experimentation, haha. Other than that, each track has its moments of grace, those little things that make each song unique, and I would have a hard time ranking them…
Seeds of Perseverance is being released after a crowdfunding campaign on the Ulule website. How did you come to this decision? Did you try to contact labels, or did you want to remain independent at all costs?
Larry: What we call the “Seeds Project,” which is this new album and everything that revolves around it, was characterized from the very beginning by ambition. The ambition to be more, to give more, to be able to do more. So we figured that the support and energy of our audience would push us even further. However, we didn’t want to do this without adding value. That’s why we worked on merchandising that is partly exclusive to this campaign.
Crypp: Batt, who is a monstrous rhythm machine behind his drums, is also and above all a genuine and talented human being in his art (fuck AI!). For this new album, he has brought a whole universe that perfectly represents the universe of the band’s new line-up. So we decided to immortalize this work with limited and exclusive merch in preparation for the album’s release. The idea was to share with those who support us the first building blocks of this new album and everything that will come after it. Of course, when Seeds of Perseverance is released, there will be a ton of merch available, as well as the usual merch for the future… and most certainly other “unique works” to snap up! We’ve been talking to labels and other professionals for a while now, and we’re thinking more and more about this solution to live and offer more of our passion. Now, Monolyth has everything it needs to go further, and this will be done with the help of both professionals in the field and the fans who support us every step of the way.
I saw you play at Glazart on April 10 with Destinity and Nightrage. How did you prepare for this short tour? Do you have any rituals or little habits before going on stage?
Larry: To tell you the truth, this tour fell between two big projects related to the Seeds Project. We quickly had to get back into the right mindset and work mode to make it happen. However, we were very happy to share both the stage and moments of life with these two bands, which mean a lot to us. Before concerts, everyone has their own little ritual, both physical and musical. We relax, we remind ourselves of the specifics planned for the stage, and above all, we tell each other that we love each other and feel our team spirit and unity.
Julien: This tour had been in the works for almost a year. Mick (from Destinity) had asked us to join the lineup when we played together in Châteauroux in March 2024, and we accepted because opportunities like this don’t come along every week and Monolyth has fans of both bands. At the time, we were planning to release the album in April 2025, so the timing was perfect! And then… well, we rethought our approach to the album, rewrote most of it, and the deadlines became impossible to meet. The result is an intense tour in every way! Before going on stage, one last quick trip to the merch table to make sure everything is in place, a quick tune-up, a check of the equipment, a stop at the bar to grab something to drink during the set, a hug for friends, and GO!
What are Monolyth‘s next projects?
Larry: The upcoming album is obviously a decisive step for us. It will generate a lot of content that will flesh out the graphic and thematic universe depicted in Seeds of Perseverance. We want to offer an enriched experience, both on stage and on social media, so that you can experience this universe as much as we want you to. As for what comes next… Let’s just say that silence does not represent emptiness.
Crypp: This album marks a turning point for the band. The lineup is moving in the same artistic direction and wants to share it with as many people as possible, mainly on stage, because that’s where the band expresses itself best. We’re working hard to offer a powerful and sincere live experience for these upcoming dates. A lot of personal work, rehearsals, and residencies are being done to this end. And in terms of booking, we’re putting ourselves out there wherever we can share all this work and energy in the best possible conditions. I hope we get as many dates as possible to rock out on stage with the audience and share the passion that all five of us have invested so much in. The video for Better of Somewhere Else was released on May 19, at the same time as the single, which you can find on all streaming platforms and share with those who haven’t seen or heard it yet. But others will follow very soon to illustrate Seeds Of Perseverance and the whole emotional, musical, and graphic universe of Monolyth. Then the idea is not to wait so long for a new album, because we always have lots of ideas to make you headbang!
Are there any musicians or artists you would like to collaborate with in the future?
Julien: Yes. We’re still big kids who dream of featuring one of their idols… To tell you the truth, we contacted four for Seeds of Perseverance. Two never replied, and for the other two, the timing wasn’t right.
Do you think you’ve improved as musicians with this album?
Amaury: We always try to “raise the bar” individually and collectively, of course! But where the band has made the most progress is in identifying the desired result, in discussion, in listening to each other, in the interest of the project.
Larry: Beyond my personal technical level, I think I’ve improved in my relationship with the other artists in the band. That’s also what makes Seeds of Perseverance so rich, the result of very long discussions, debates, research, and listening.
Crypp: You’d have to ask each musician that question… But with time, experience in composition, rehearsals, and performances, especially for a new lineup with so much experience. Working together, including in styles or techniques that are not always their own. Without speaking for each musician, Monolyth has improved above all in its musical maturity, in what each member could bring to the table and how to bring it together in a song and play it together. Seeds Of Perseverance was an opportunity for each musician to understand (and sometimes discover) the others, to bring their technique and expression to a common project. And I think that even if technically each musician was able to improve their playing or expression, above all there was an effort by everyone to do something incredible together.
Which bands would you dream of playing with? I’ll let you imagine your dream date with Monolyth as the opening act, and three other bands.
Amaury: Not necessarily the most compatible artist, but let us open for Devin Townsend and I can kick the bucket as soon as I step off the stage…
Larry: Okay, so if I have to answer just for myself and keep it consistent with Monolyth‘s style… I’d say Gojira, Gorod, and Novelists? Just to stay patriotic, hahaha!
Julien: That’s a trick question… I dream of sharing the stage with the big names in the genre, whether it’s In Flames, Dark Tranquillity, Soilwork, or even Hypocrisy, even though our styles are very different… But I wouldn’t say no to a spot with Architects, for example. And closer to home, all the established or up-and-coming big names, like Landmvrks, Novelists, Ashen, and playing again with friends like Destinity, Deficiency, When Reasons Collapse, Ianwill…
Last question: what dish would you compare Monolyth‘s music to?
Amaury: Too many ideas come to mind… so an all-you-can-eat buffet, rich, varied, and finely prepared… Can I say that?
Larry: A good curry: hot, spicy, comforting, thick.
Julien: A rougail sausage (vegan, purists begrudge me) prepared at length, according to tradition, which we would digest with the help of a ti punch while letting ourselves be carried away by the beauty of the landscapes… (yes, I’m from Reunion Island and I’d like to go back, what are you going to do about it?!)
Crypp: Fragrant basmati rice with Vindaloo potatoes (I don’t have a Western equivalent for this culinary delight).
So that was my last question. Thank you for your time, and I’ll leave you with the last word!
Amaury: Thank you to Acta Infernalis for your interest in our news and this album. We can’t wait to unleash this monster and share it with as many people as possible, play everywhere, and enjoy it all together.
Crypp: Thank you. It’s always a pleasure to see you at concerts and to see your many (very many xD) contributions to the metal scene. Thank you. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the media, associations, volunteers, and organizers who make it possible to share this passion. You are incredible. And a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us from the beginning or even recently. And to all those who live and share this passion that drives us.