History is written through violence with Monument of Misanthropy.
Now signed to Listenable Records, the Austrian band comprising George “Misanthrope” Wilfinger (vocals), Julius Kössler (guitar, Spire of Lazarus), Joe Gatsch (guitar), Raphael Hendlmayer (bass), and Simon Martinsich (drums) released their fourth album, Washington State Charm, in 2026.
The aptly named Obviously We Gotta Start Somewhere… grants us one last moment of respite before Neath Tacoma Asphalt hits us full force with its Brutal yet worked Death Metal, blending furious rhythms, high-octane energy, and already savage roars. The alternation between growls and vicious screams is perfectly executed to hold our attention as the band welcomes its first two guests, guitarists Mendel bij de Leij (ex-Aborted…) and Johnny Ciardullo (Angelmaker), who contribute to the numerous leads paving our way to A Hunger Unstilled, where the dissonance knocks us out almost as much as the rhythm section. There are more imposing sections, notably thanks to the heavy samples in the background, but the track barely exceeds a minute before dropping us into The 1974 PNW Spree, where pure violence is amplified by Gabe Mangold (Enterprise Earth, Devildriver), creating a contrast between the hellish harmonics and the choppy foundation. The track flows effortlessly, and Unfortunately WA gives us a moment of agonizing suspense before title track Washington State Charm, hits us hard with a furious rhythm section where blast beats and curiously more accessible sections interplay, merging into even greater intensity. We also find that horrific atmosphere again before moving on to Colorado Murder, a long track that wastes no time in hitting us with full force at a brisk pace, but the band also knows how to speed up to deliver controlled bursts of madness, as well as slow down for a suffocating, apocalyptic final. The Hacksaw Blade takes over and offers us a healthy dose of technicality coupled with abrasive Old Sschool touches that pound us between imposing riffs to accentuate the ferocity, which quickly takes shape again with Chi Omega Blood Rage, the next track that will have the effect of a hurricane filled with screams and riffs, each more intricate than the last. Suwannee Hog Shed barely gives us time to catch our breath before exposing us to its heavy sounds before the return of more energetic patterns, then we’re treated to another break with Could You Hear That, a sample as distressing as can be that fuels the horrific atmosphere. Once the thirty seconds are up, Strapped to the Throne (Burn, Bundy, Burn) comes stomping in, true to Brutal Death tradition, featuring Hal Microutsicos (Engulf, Blasphemous) to bolster the ranks as the band pours out its hatred through suffocating riffs for one final burst of darkness.
CD version owners will also be able to enjoy a cover of Nile’s The Eye of Ra, which the band masters perfectly and for which they call upon Shoi Sen (De Profundis, ex-Monument of Misanthropy) and Jean-Jacques Moréac (Argile, Misanthrope) to round out this track, already legendary in its original version.
It seems that Monument of Misanthropy has found a balance with Washington State Charm, whether about lineup, brutality, or technicality! While the album remains fairly short, no one can deny its effectiveness and its heavy atmosphere!
90/100
