In ‘Requiem for Hell,’ Mono Emphasize the Rock in Post-Rock

Japanese post-rock band Mono have been quietly pushing the boundaries of the genre for close to 20 years. Today they've released the title track to their upcoming record, Requiem for Hell. The song’s intro matches its cover: sounds swirling together into something greater than any individual note, another journey the band is trusting you to take. "Requiem" features a huge build-up, guitars swirling into the abyss, a constantly rising tension until it hits its breaking point. But while you might be expecting the usual "epic" kind of climax from a post-rock track, instead "Requiem" keeps chugging along, focusing on the "rock" aspect of the genre. It's a groovy, bassy dream of a bridge, and while it may be simpler than what the band is known for, it's just as welcome a change of pace.

Pre-order Requiem for Hell from Temporary Residence.