Monstrosity has become a household name in the death metal scene since their inception in 1989, with their high energy and intense live shows. Their unique blend of dark and ominous sound, intricate guitar riffs, powerful vocals, and intricate drumming has earned them a dedicated fan following across the globe.
The band’s upcoming tour, part of their South American trek, will kick off on March 24th in São Paulo, Brazil. The Colombian leg of the tour is a significant event for the band, who has been touring extensively since the release of their latest album, ‘The Passage of Existence,’ in 2018.
Monstrosity is a death metal band from Florida, United States of America, formed in 1989. The band has released six full-length studio albums with a sound characterized by technicality, aggression, and dark themes.
Monstrosity has significantly impacted the broader heavy metal genre, particularly in death and extreme metal subgenres. The band’s technical proficiency, complex arrangements, and distinctive sound have inspired countless other musicians and bands in the genre and have helped to push the boundaries of what is possible in heavy metal.
EDITORIAL DISCLAIMER: The content of this article was either provided by the band(s), their management, record label(s), official newsletters, or other news sources and not by the local event organizers. The tour dates were collected from the band’s official websites and updated as needed. Local musicians and promoters involved with this venue are encouraged to contact us directly if they have any new information about this page that needs to be amended for the benefit of our readers. Please note that all contributions made for inclusion in this article must be in English.
One area in which Monstrosity has been particularly influential is in the development of technical death metal, a subgenre characterized by its complex song structures, intricate guitar work, and virtuosic performances. Many of the band’s albums, particularly their early work, are considered landmarks of the genre and have helped to define its sound and style.
Beyond their direct influence on other musicians and bands, Monstrosity’s contributions to heavy metal have also had wider cultural significance. The band’s music has been embraced by a global community of metal fans and has helped shape the broader cultural identity of heavy metal. By pushing the boundaries of what is possible in heavy metal, Monstrosity has helped to keep the genre fresh, vital, and relevant. It has inspired generations of musicians and fans to continue exploring the outer limits of heavy metal.
In addition to their technical prowess and musical innovations, Monstrosity’s music is notable for its thematic content and lyrics. The band’s songs often deal with themes of violence, horror, and the supernatural, drawing on various influences from horror films, literature, and mythology.
Notable examples of Monstrosity’s lyrical themes include ‘Ceremonial Void,’ which draws on Lovecraftian themes of cosmic horror and the unknown, and ‘The Exordium,’ from their 2007 album ‘Spiritual Apocalypse,’ which explores themes of spiritual awakening and transcendence.
Overall, Monstrosity’s lyrics and thematic content provide a unique window into the band’s creative process, influences, and worldview and are an important part of their wider cultural significance. By drawing on a wide range of sources, from horror films to literature to mythology, the band has created a distinctive and compelling vision of heavy metal that has resonated with fans around the world.
Monstrosity’s discography spans over three decades. Each album has contributed to the evolution of the band’s sound and style, starting with ‘Imperial Doom,’ whose debut album was released on May 26th, 1992, via Nuclear Blast Records. It was well-received in the death metal community, displaying the band’s technical proficiency as well as a heavier, more aggressive sound than their preceding demo recordings. The album is considered a death metal masterpiece, with fast and complex riffs, deafening drumming, and a mix of growled and shrieked vocals. The aforementioned ‘Ceremonial Void,’ followed by ‘Definitive Inquisition,’ and ‘Immense Malignancy,’ are truly outstanding tracks.
Conquest Music released Monstrosity’s second album, ‘Millennium,’ on August 27th, 1996. The album follows in the footsteps of ‘Imperial Doom,’ with even more technicality and speed, and features a somewhat more experimental approach to death metal, with a thrash and progressive mishmash. This album’s guitar work is particularly impressive, with intricate riffs and solos that emphasize the band’s musicianship. The vocals are more varied, with some clean singing and spoken word passages added. ‘Devious Instinct,’ ‘Manipulation Strain,’ and ‘Dream Messiah’ are among the best tracks.
Monstrosity’s third album, ‘In Dark Purity,’ released on August 27, 1996, by Conquest Music, reveals the band experimenting with different styles while maintaining their signature sound. The album features more atmospheric and melodic elements and slower and more intricate guitar work. Yet, it also marks the band’s return to a more traditional death metal sound, with a focus on brutality and maneuverability. This album’s production is also noteworthy, with a straightforward and potent sound. The vocals continue to be largely growled, but they are more nuanced and dynamic. ‘Destroying Divinity,’ ‘Suffering to the Conquered,’ and ‘Hymns of Tragedy’ are among the best tracks on the album.
‘Rise to Power,’ their fourth and last album released by Conquest Music on September 23, 2003, sees Monstrosity hold a more groove-oriented methodology to death metal, with an emphasis on mid-tempo riffing and catchy hooks. The guitar work on the album is speedier and more intricate than on ‘In Dark Purity,’ with cacophonous drumming and strenuous vocals. The production is also noticeably heavier, with a more raw and organic sound. ‘Awaiting Armageddon,’ ‘Wave of Annihilation,’ and ‘Visions of Violence’ constitute the standout tracks.
‘Spiritual Apocalypse,’ Monstrosity’s fifth album, was released through Metal Blade Records on April 5th, 2007. The album has a more finely tuned and polished sound and enhanced technicality and complexity than their previous albums. This album’s guitar work is particularly impressive, with intricate melodies and harmonies that highlight the band’s musicianship. The vocals stand out as well, with a more varied delivery and some spoken word passages. ‘Firestorm,’ ‘The Inhuman Race,’ and ‘Sacred Oblivion’ are among the best tracks on the album.
After a long hiatus, Monstrosity’s most recent album, ‘The Passage of Existence,’ was released by Metal Blade Records on September 7th, 2018, and builds on the band’s legacy with a blend of old-school and modern death metal elements. The album features a return to the band’s earlier, more aggressive sound and new elements like melodic interludes and atmospheric passages. The guitar work is impressive once again, with intricate riffs and solos that showcase the band’s musicianship. The vocals are also remarkable, with a more diversified delivery that encompasses growls and screams. The drumming is tight and powerful, providing a solid foundation for the intricate arrangements. Each instrument shines thanks to the clear and polished production.
The album’s themes explore the human condition and the search for meaning in a meaningless world. The reflective and thought-provoking lyrics provide insight into the band’s philosophical musings. ‘Radiated,’ ‘The Proselygeist,’ and ‘Eyes Upon the Abyss’ are standout tracks that demonstrate the band’s technical proficiency and songwriting strengths.
Overall, ‘The Passage of Existence’ is a strong addition to Monstrosity’s discography, showcasing the band’s ability to evolve and innovate while remaining true to their roots. The album has received positive reviews from fans and critics, cementing Monstrosity’s place as one of the most influential and enduring bands in the death metal scene.
Monstrosity’s music has swayed a variety of death metal bands both in North America and around the world. Monstrosity’s technical and melodic approach to death metal has been especially influential, with many bands citing the band as a major influence. The press has praised the band’s music, with critics praising their technical brilliance, songwriting, and dark themes.
Monstrosity has had a significant impact on the death metal scene, both in terms of influence on other bands and contributions to the evolution of the genre. The band’s technical and tuneful approach to death metal was especially influential, and their music can be listened to in the songwriting of many modern death metal bands. Monstrosity’s music has also been commended for its inventiveness and originality, with the band continuously pushing the genre’s boundaries.
Indeed, Monstrosity’s technical prowess is one aspect of their impact on the death metal scene. The musicianship of the band is among the best in the genre, with each member capable of playing their respective instruments to a high level. The intricate guitar riffs and complex drum patterns of Monstrosity set them apart from other death metal bands. Their technical ability has been cited as an influence by numerous other musicians in the genre with their melodic sensibility, which is another great aspect of their impact on the death metal scene.
The legacy of Monstrosity can also be seen in the evolution of the death metal genre. The band’s early work helped lay the groundwork for technical death metal, which has since become one of the most popular subgenres within the larger death metal scene. Furthermore, Monstrosity’s willingness to play with melody and other musical elements paved the way for other bands to experiment with new sounds and approaches within the genre.
Despite their impact and influence, Monstrosity has never achieved the commercial success of some of their death metal contemporaries. However, the band’s dedication to their craft and willingness to push the genre’s boundaries has earned them a devoted fan base as well as the respect of their peers.
Monstrosity has significantly impacted the death metal scene through live performances, tours, and collaborations with other artists, in addition to their studio work. The band has toured extensively in the United States of America and abroad, sharing the stage with notable death metal acts such as Cannibal Corpse, Deicide, and Morbid Angel.
Many bands have cited Monstrosity as an inspiration and influence, demonstrating the band’s impact on the death metal genre. Bands like Vital Remains, Decrepit Birth, and Hour of Penance have all discussed how Monstrosity’s music influenced their own sound and style. Monstrosity’s emphasis on technicality, precision, and complexity, in particular, has been cited as a major influence on the development of the “technical death metal” subgenre, which has grown in popularity in recent years.
Overall, Monstrosity’s influence on the death metal scene can be seen in the numerous bands that have been inspired by their music, as well as their own enduring popularity. Monstrosity has carved out a unique niche within the death metal genre and left an indelible mark on the history of heavy metal music with their innovative approach to songwriting and technical proficiency.
Monstrosity’s last visit to Colombia was in 2017. The band members are eager to return to the country and reconnect with their fans, meaning that Monstrosity aficionados in Colombia will be in for a treat with the band’s upcoming tour. Monstrosity will undoubtedly provide unforgettable moments to their devoted followers with their high energy and unique blend of Death Metal.
