Recent Updates

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Monument - The First Monument (1971 uk, tough organ and guitar fuelled rockers, 2010 Relics remaster)



By 1971, when this album was first released, it had become somewhat trendy amongst the underground fraternity to actively participate in practises such as ritual magic, occult arts and various other esoteric customs. With music very much to the fore of this scene, a twilight culture unfurled linking mysticism to it in the form of groups inspired by their own self interest and beliefs.

While special imagery and gimmicks were an all important part of such groups presentation there were those, like Monument, whose fascination for the occult drove them away from seeking to glamourise their image. Vocalist and keyboards man Steven Lowe was a founder member of a witches coven in Essex and this keen interest in the ancient craft served to shape much of the lyrical content of their sole album, which is steeped in sorcery and mysticism. Monument was actually made by Zior under a pseudonym.

Of all the late ‘60s/ early '70s bands that professed a genuine interest in the occult Black Sabbath achieved the most success. Ironically, at the outset, they were largely inclined to distance themselves as figureheads of occultism in rock, preferring instead to rely on the strength of their music rather than upholding an image.
Audio-Archives



Tracks
1. Dog Man - 3:20
2. Stale Flesh - 3:51
3. Don't Run Me Down - 2:28
4. Give Me Life - 3:53
5. The Metamorphis Tango - 3:56
6. Boneyard Bumne - 4:28
7. First Taste Of Love - 3:25
8. And She Goes - 2:36
9. Overture For Limp Piano In C - 3:32
10.I'm Coming Back - 2:52
All songs by Steven Lowe

Monument
*Jake Brewster - Drums
*Marve Fletchley - Bass
*Steven Lowe - Vocals, Keyboards
*Wes Truvor - Guitar

16 comments:

  1. φιλε γεια σου πολλα μπραβο για το μπλογκ κι ιδιαιτερες ευχαριστιες για το monument που κυριολεκτικα θεριζει...μονο που εχω μια υποψια οτι σε ξερω.πριν πολλα-πολλα χρονια ειχες σχεση με Πειραια,φοιτητης κι ετσι; turn me over/play me again

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you very much friend for this album. Rockasteria is a great site.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Όχι φίλε μου καμμια σχεση με Πειραιά.

    ReplyDelete
  4. κριμα.ηξερα τοτε,88-89, εναν Μαριο που με ειχε μπασει γερα στην ψυχεδελεια και το progressive rock.προς στιγμην νομιζα οτι τον ξαναπετυχα,βλεπεις χαθηκαμε χρονια τωρα.οπως και να εχει παντως,το μπλογκ σου ειναι κορυφη ! tyrn me over/play me again

    ReplyDelete
  5. Excellent stuff! Thanks very much...

    ReplyDelete
  6. thanks marios, never heard of these guys before but the sample sounds great.
    Paul

    ReplyDelete
  7. Its one of my fav from this genre.By the way,a couple of songs reminds me some Iggy's work.Am i the only?Cheers Marios,Great Blog-Great Post!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for this remastered version of this fantastic album!

    /Cathy

    ReplyDelete


  9. Muchas gracias por este excelente disco

    ReplyDelete
  10. Due to fact that this is my absolute fav no. 1 record,with a little help from Zior members this web site was created

    http://thefirstmonument.webs.com/

    P.S. Steven Lowe doesn't exist, it is a fiction, due to Zior signed contract with Nepentha in same time..

    Thanks Marios!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I don't comment as often as I should, but Marios you are great. Thank you so much for keeping the music alive.

    I think this is a very early example of what would later be called Metal Rock. As to the occult thing, I just don't here it in the lyrics. Maybe the first track a little... and maybe the group members were into the occult but this album by and large steers clear of being openly occult in my opinion.

    They do remind me somewhat of the Stooges, a band I have been into since I bought there first album a week after it came out.

    Thanks again Marios!

    ReplyDelete
  12. link - Dead ! Please update link !

    ReplyDelete
  13. Marios, thank you very much !

    ReplyDelete