ALBUM REVIEW: Chapter I: Monarchy – Ad Infinitum

Up and coming symphonic metallers AD INFINITUM are set to release their debut record Chapter I: Monarchy. The group are fronted by former RAGE OF LIGHT vocalist Melissa Bonny, while FOLLOW THE CIPHER‘s Jonas Asplind handles the rhythm section with drummer Niklas Müller and guitarist Adrian Thessenvitz rounds out the line up.  

The album begins with Infected Monarchy; the intro is very slow and gradual, with the violins and keyboard coming together to set the scene early on. Bonny‘s vocals follow shortly, softly to begin with before the tempo picks up and the rest of AD INFINITUM follow suit. The riffs are heavy and there are certainly more than enough metal factors to cater for all listeners, while Bonny delivers perfectly on adding the symphonic elements.

The following track, Marching on Versailles, adds an extra dimension of heavy metal. This time the intro begins with the guitar, and the build up follows almost immediately. Things slow down not long after though when the drums and symphonic components take centre stage to accompany the vocals. It doesn’t take long though for the strings to return to the forefront, and there are also added backing vocals which add a darker element to the sound, becoming more prominent towards the end of the track.

There are ten tracks on the opening record and each one has its own unique selling point and distinctions. One that really stands out though is See You in Hell. Much like Infected Monarchy, it starts off quite gently, with Bonnay leading from the opening second accompanied again with the keys. When she reaches the chorus the rest of the band join in with skull crushing riffs. The tempo is quite slow but the atmosphere is definitely set well with all the elements coming together – gentle throughout the verses with Bonnay and then gradually heavier and darker each time it comes to the chorus and throughout the latter stages of the song.

Another track that is a real highlight of the album is Fire and Ice. It follows a similar pattern to the other songs mentioned in terms of the intro and the way it is put together, starting off gradual and softly before becoming increasingly heavier. During the opening verse, the vocals take the forefront with the echoes of the guitar and drums in the background as the listener’s focus is certainly on Bonnay. The chorus has more symphonic elements compared to some of the others, and if someone were to ask you to describe the genre then this song would be the epitome of symphonic metal.

Fans of symphonic metal would certainly find a lot to love with this record, but even for those who are new to the genre Chapter I: Monarchy comes highly recommended. AD INFINITUM may be one of the newer bands to grace the symphonic metal scene, but if this record alone is to go by then the future is very bright for them.

Rating 9/10

Chapter I: Monarchy is out now via Napalm Records. 

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