Album Review: Burning Monk – Burning Monk

Never before have I heard Stoner Metal juxtaposed with Hardcore Punk. However, the droning Stoner Metal riffs take a backseat to the relentless Punk Rock audio assault, and the result is a trippy hellride that transcends genres. The lyrics reveal a disturbing combination of hatred and humor. You don’t know if you should rise up in  justified outrage or laugh in a drunken stupor. Why not do both? Their self-titled album would make a great soundtrack for a riot, a house party, or anything in between. The string instruments and percussion are the simple, catchy hooks with an aggressive conotation that we always expect from Punk Rock. Meanwhile, the heavy, sluggish Stoner Metal riffs are a flashback to early Black Sabbath, echoing the same overwhelming darkness that shrouded the seminal Metal of the 70’s. The lyrics take  political stance without being preachy. Burning Monk makes it scathingly clear that the world is not inherently a very fair or safe place, but they take the bite off with a cheeky sense of humor and some kick ass melodies.

Burning Monk defies the stereotype of Punk Rock being boiled down to “We don’t give a fuck! Oi Oi Oi!”  As a matter of fact, they seem to care deeply about many social issues, from the sketchy practices of the fast food industry, to mass corruption on a global scale. However, what they express doesn’t seem to be concern so much as a scathing hatred. They’re my kind of guys.

In a nutshell, they’re politically charged Hardcore Punk with a heavy Stoner twist. Check ’em out on Reverbnation or Bandcamp.  Four stars outta five.