Monolord’s Esben Willems releases debut solo album »Glowing Darkness«; out today via Majestic Mountain Records!

Esben Willems (Monolord, Slower, owner/operator of Studio Berserk) stream his debut solo album, »Glowing Darkness«, which was just released this Friday, March 29th, 2024 via Majestic Mountain Records.

Watch a music video for the latest single »Dear Demon« below. Video done by Esben Willems.

Tracklist:
01. Cabaret Street
02. Dear Demon
03. Carte Blanche
04. Embrace The Fall
05. Slow Rain
06. Glowing Darkness
07. Space Bob
08. Fortune Teller
09. Across The Everything

Courtesy of Sheltered Life PR:

The man behind Monolord; Slower and Gothenburg’s Studio Berserk converts anger to energy on his creative call to arms; a solo project of punk, discord, and artistic rebellion.

Following years of song writing and conceptual exploration, »Glowing Darkness« – the debut solo album by Monolord/Slower’s Esben Willems – is an inspiringly raucous ode to the act of creation, regardless of one’s limitations.

“I’ve always been fascinated, inspired, and driven by limitations and I’ve always encouraged others to do what they can with what they have,” said Willems of his first solo outing. “But I’ve not been very good at following that advice myself, so this album is just that. A collection of misfit song ideas that kept lingering, songs I eventually felt I wanted to record.”

Photo by Jonas Andersson

“And I wanted to do it all myself; instead of asking more capable friends to contribute on instruments I feel lost in space on – and I have the luxury of knowing quite a few insanely talented humans – I wanted to push my own limits and see what I’d be capable of within my plenitude of limitations and self-doubt. It might to some extent be rudimentary and rough, but that’s also what I like about it. A companion sentiment through the whole process – and any creative process – is that we all have so much in common, so if I like it, someone else probably does as well.”

Due for release this March on Majestic Mountain Records, over nine tracks of hook-rich, punk-spirited alternative rock this humble collection of rogue notions and earnest expressions culminates in a multifaceted release full of irreverent lyrics and anthemic rage reflecting the struggle and absurdity of the human condition. Just one listen to his debut single, »Cabaret Street«, which premiered in February on Metal Injection should give listeners everything they need to appreciate where Willem’s lens is pointing.

“It’s a reflection on how we all seem trapped in playing the futile game of perpetually trying to display what superhumanly successful and interesting lives we lead. Despite us all being aware of this, we still manically persist,” he explains.

Eschewing help, actively turning down contributions from perfectly capable accomplices and self-consciously choosing to challenge himself at every turn to plough on beyond self-doubt, »Glowing Darkness« is an audacious project. Perhaps too rough and ready for some, for others it’s a raw and riotous call to glorious arms. It might not be what you’d expect, but it could be well be just what you need.

»Glowing Darkness« by Esben Willems is released 29th March 2024 on Majestic Mountain Records | Pre-order HERE

Performed, produced, mixed, and mastered by Esben Willems at Studio Berserk Gothenburg.
Photography by Jonas Andersson.
Layout by Rickard Höök.

“Less sludge and more of a post-punk edge, the entirety of »Cabaret Street« is a stomping earworm bound to be repeated multiple times today.” — Metal Injection

“I have no idea where this will lead us, but I have a definite feeling it will be a place both wonderful and strange.” — Lt. Dale Cooper, Twin Peaks

Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well