Formed in 2022, Müntrails—featuring Dibasson (vocals), Beszel (guitars, programming, backing vocals), Zennon (keyboards), BasLag (bass), and Shevek (drums)—has captivated audiences with their genre-blurring fusion of atmospheric post-rock, melancholy melodies, and raw, ritualistic energy. The band describes their journey as a quest to create deeply personal and timeless music, weaving their conceptual narratives through their recordings and electrifying live performances.
Having already made waves with their previous EPs (Venom To Come, Disorder Road, and Dance Divine), Müntrails has built an impressive foundation, with The Cenobite Tapes marking a new chapter in their sonic evolution.
"The Cenobite Tapes" is not just an album; it’s an immersive experience that invites listeners to traverse a rich tapestry of sound and emotion. While not a concept album in the traditional sense, it weaves together diverse musical landscapes that resonate with a profound sense of melancholy and rebellion.
From the hauntingly dense passages of "Pathways" to the raw intensity of "Ancient Enemy" and "We Can Dance," which feature powerful bass lines and ritualistic guitars, Müntrails showcases their ability to blend emotional depth with sonic ferocity. The album also explores more progressive and ambient territories in tracks like "Heretic Eyes" and "Erase My Name," post-rock elements are intricately layered throughout, creating a nuanced listening experience.
Despite its lack of a defined concept, "The Cenobite Tapes" possesses a subtle common thread that emphasizes the band’s unique self-expression. This distinctive character makes the album both engaging and accessible, inviting listeners to become active participants in its emotional and dramatic journey. The result is a cohesive listening experience that feels like a living, breathing entity, where ambient musicality and vocal expression reign supreme.
Stranger f Danger: first thing that pops up I my mind is: Star Industry (the vocals, the sound), with a slice of Whispers in The Shadow and Neva. This one is by far the best track on the album: great vocals, good tempo and an overall sound that screams so loud: this song has to become a hit! To be honest: the bands I named here would also be counted in for all the other bands!
Outbreaks is lesser good, the vocals sound a bit out of my range. The darkness reigns but is miss the greatness from the previous track. The synths are great, just as the bass guitar.
Ancient Enemy sounds like a mix of metal and gothic rock (screams included), the tempo is high and the guitars are roaring whilst the drums hit hard. You can feel the energy! It was a good choice to create a clip for this one (note my other tips).
Delay The Rain sounds epic, has a good tempo and sounds like a good gothic rock song should sound like! I’m wandering how it will sound during an outdoor festival (with grey clouds in the background). It’s a great track! Single material!
The Bell starts slowly but suddenly changes into a bath rock track with great synths! I can feel the pathos and see the baths fly!
Heretic Eyes is a nice one with cool retro guitar sound and vocals that nail it! I would play this one on stage!
She Lies Occult breath’s out energy and darkness. I can see Bauhaus putting a thumb up after listening to this one! Excellent retro guitar sound!
Erase My Name sounds a bit softer, but has a certain haunting touch. I would call it a soft gothic rock song.
We Can Dance mixes a funny touch with heavy guitar play and a good rhythm. Be ready to dance on this one or simply rock all along!
Pathways (Coven Night) is a dark gothic rock track with good vocals, heavy guitar play and a nice global sound.
In Torment sounds pretty heavy with some screaming and a high tempo. I can feel the emotions!
New Plasma Sun is the last song on this album and sounds like the perfect track to close a set with: a song filled with pathos and enough variation withing the sound and tempo, good vocals, ...
Conclusion: fans of Star Industry, Whispers in The Shadow and Neva will be delighted! I also think that gothic rock fans in general will adore at least half of the songs on this album! I noted several possible hits on this album (doesn’t happen much), so this one gets a good rating (am even wandering how come it’s the first time I hear from them).
Connect with Müntrails:
muntrails.bandcamp.com
www.youtube.com/@Muntrails
www.facebook.com/Muntrails
www.instagram.com/muntrails
soundcloud.com/muntrails
