Short Reviews [Zonk-Monk - 2011 - "Disorder: Out of the Cosmos"]

The Japanese trio ZONK-MONK has been around since 2009, making a name for themselves in the Japanese live circuit. In 2011 they released the three track EP "Disorder: Out of the Cosmos", featuring a guest appearance from guitarist Isao. And it is an impressive production. Opening track Into the Green World may be a bit on the gentle and repetitive side with its piano and jazz-tinged bass theme, but the elegant organ theme suddenly invaded by dramatic digital strings with a scorching symphonic run through that is the set up for the following UTA Hole in Danger most certainly makes an impression, and the title track, Out of the Cosmos, even more so. This last item features an elegant, romantic harpsichord theme initially, with a dramatic shift into a massive, majestic keyboards driven symphonic theme underscored by dark-toned, compact guitar riffs, upon repetition with a scorching guitar solo given the limelight with the keys in a supporting role. Without ever being subservient I might add. A tantalizing and extremely promising initial effort by this Japanese band, boding very well for their artistic future.

Olav M Bjornsen: January 6, 2012