The founders, with exception of Lars Sundsbø, started out as a stoner band named The Goon Killing, back in 2003. Lots of songs were written, but without a vocalist and a clear vision of what they tried to achieve, the project became stale and got shelved.
FROM BENEATH BILLOWS was born out of the desire to advance the band's creative process. The band strove to make their music deeper, heavier and more visual.
FROM BENEATH BILLOWS is a 5-head piece from Oslo, Norway. The quintet has been writing music in this constellation since 2005 and has released 1 prior full-length album.
In 2007 they released the 4 song, 50 minute debut, "Evolve", which received some very good feedback in webzines around the world.
Now, 6 years later, the follow-up is ready. "Monolith" is much larger in scale than "Evolve", and is the natural progression for the band as musicians and song writers. It was of course of utmost importance to keep the atmosphere and the mood from the previous album, but all changes occurred naturally. Over half a decade has passed since their debut, so what you hear on "Monolith" is the adult beast.
While the tale of "Evolve" was intimate, isolated and focused on man's inner struggles using maritime metaphors, "Monolith" is wider in its scope. Lyrical themes touch upon colonization, industrialization and the imminent gloom. Indeed not political, religious or preaching in any way - just an interesting framing for words and tones.
The essence, however, lie in the brush strokes and in the layers of the weave, in the delicate details and in the rich ambience that these aspects utter.
With "Monolith", the canvas is bigger and the color palette more vibrant. The end result is sometimes brighter than "Evolve", but at its core darker and more sinister.
"Monolith" is the natural progression for FROM BENEATH BILLOWS, stronger in its vision, while still hanging on to the characteristics of "Evolve".
The essence, however, lie in the brush strokes and in the layers of the weave, in the delicate details and in the rich ambience that these aspects utter.
With "Monolith", the canvas is bigger and the color palette more vibrant. The end result is sometimes brighter than "Evolve", but at its core darker and more sinister.
"Monolith" is the natural progression for FROM BENEATH BILLOWS, stronger in its vision, while still hanging on to the characteristics of "Evolve".
http://www.frombeneathbillows.com/
