progressive metal
Progressive metal (often shortened to prog metal) is a broad fusion music genre melding heavy metal music, heavy metal and progressive rock, combining the loud "aggression" and amplified electric guitar, guitar-driven sound of the former with t ...
band formed by former Fellsilent guitarist, John Browne, and former Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza guitarist, Josh Travis. The band has released four studio albums through
Century Media Records
Century Media Records is a German heavy metal record label with offices in Germany, the United States and the United Kingdom. In August 2015, Century Media was acquired by Sony Music for US$17 million.
Background
Century Media was founded by R ...
: ''
Gnosis
Gnosis is the common Greek noun for knowledge ( γνῶσις, ''gnōsis'', f.). The term was used among various Hellenistic religions and philosophies in the Greco-Roman world. It is best known for its implication within Gnosticism, where ...
Phronesis
In ancient Greek philosophy, () refers to the type of wisdom or intelligence concerned with practical action. It implies good judgment and excellence of character and habits. In Aristotelian ethics, the concept is distinguished from other words ...
Century Media Records
Century Media Records is a German heavy metal record label with offices in Germany, the United States and the United Kingdom. In August 2015, Century Media was acquired by Sony Music for US$17 million.
Background
Century Media was founded by R ...
in 2012, announcing the addition of singer Matt Rose the same day. Their debut album, ''
Gnosis
Gnosis is the common Greek noun for knowledge ( γνῶσις, ''gnōsis'', f.). The term was used among various Hellenistic religions and philosophies in the Greco-Roman world. It is best known for its implication within Gnosticism, where ...
'', came out on 28 August 2012.
The band took part in the Euroblast European Tour with
Jeff Loomis
Jeff Loomis (born September 14, 1971) is an American musician, best known for his role as lead guitarist in the progressive metal band Nevermore during its existence from 1991 to 2011, as well as brief tenures in its precursor, Sanctuary (band) ...
, Vildhjarta, and Stealing Axion. Another European tour with
Born of Osiris
Born of Osiris is an American progressive metalcore band formed in 2003 in Palatine, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. The band currently consists of drummer and sole remaining founding member Cameron Losch, lead vocalist Ronnie Canizaro, and guit ...
and
After the Burial
After the Burial is an American progressive metal band from Minneapolis, Minnesota. They are currently signed to Sumerian Records and have released five of their six full-length albums through the label. Since their inception in 2004, the band h ...
followed in early 2013. By March 2013, the band parted ways with vocalist Matt Rose. In July 2013, it was announced that former Periphery and current Ever Forthright and The HAARP Machine vocalist Chris Barretto had joined the band.
In December 2013, the band announced via Facebook that they had completed their second album. The drums were recorded in Monnow Valley Studio, Wales with Romesh Dodangoda (
Motörhead
Motörhead () were an English rock music, rock band formed in London in 1975 by bassist and lead vocalist Lemmy Kilmister, guitarist Larry Wallis and drummer Lucas Fox. Kilmister was the primary songwriter and only constant member. The band a ...
,
Sylosis
Sylosis are a British heavy metal band formed in Reading, Berkshire, in 2000. Signed to Nuclear Blast Records, the band has released six studio albums, a live album, two EPs and twelve music videos. Their latest album, ''A Sign of Things to Co ...
,
Bring Me the Horizon
Bring Me the Horizon are a British Rock music, rock band, formed in Sheffield, England in 2004. The group currently consists of lead vocalist Oli Sykes, drummer Matt Nicholls, guitarist Lee Malia and bassist Matt Kean (musician), Matt Kean. T ...
), while the rest of the instruments were tracked DIY by Browne, and the vocals were done with
Eyal Levi
Eyal Levi (born May 22, 1979, Cleveland, Ohio).The Amanuensis'', would be released on 23 June 2014.
The band played on the Red Bull Studios Live Stage at
Download
In computer networks, download means to ''receive'' data from a remote system, typically a server such as a web server, an FTP server, an email server, or other similar systems. This contrasts with uploading, where data is ''sent to'' a remote ...
on Sunday 15 June 2014. In March and April 2015, they supported Australian band
Karnivool
Karnivool is an Australian progressive rock/progressive metal, metal band formed in Perth in 1998. The group consists of Ian Kenny on vocals, Drew Goddard and Mark Hosking on guitar, Jon Stockman on bass, and Steve Judd on drums. Karnivool emerg ...
on their UK and European headline tour. Drummer Mike Malyan left the band during August 2015 due to injuries on his back and shoulder and was replaced by Anup Sastry, the former Intervals drummer. They played at Hevy music festival later that month.
On 16 June 2016, Anup Sastry announced on his Facebook page that he was amicably leaving the band, although he returned in 2018 to record drums for the new album, ''Phronesis''.
In support of the release of the new album, Monuments performed a 31-date tour of the United Kingdom and mainland Europe over October and November with main support from Vola. In January 2019 Monuments performed headline shows in New Zealand, then on the Australian multi-date music festival Progfest.
On 1 July 2019, Monuments announced that Chris Barretto had departed the band due to "personal reasons." They also announced
YouTuber
A YouTuber is a content creator and social media influencer who uploads or creates videos on the online video-sharing website YouTube, typically posting to their personal YouTube channel. The term was first used in the English language in 2006 ...
Andy Cizek as their fill-in vocalist for the rest of the tour. On 11 October 2019, Monuments announced that Andy Cizek is now their official vocalist. Less than two months later, former drummer Mike Malyan rejoined the band.
On 12 July 2021, Monuments announced that guitarist Olly Steele had left the band to pursue other musical projects. In January 2022, Monuments' fourth album, '' In Stasis'', was announced with a release date of April 15, 2022. ''In Stasis'' features Mick Gordon as co-producer, with Spencer Sotelo of Periphery and ex-vocalist Neema Askari as guests. On 31 January 2023, Monuments announced departure of the bassist Adam Swan to pursue his environmental efforts with Soil Ecology Agriculture. His spot was filled with Dutch bassist Werner Erkelens of Aviations.
On May 25, 2023, the band released a non-album single "Nefarious", along with a music video.
On April 16, 2024, it was announced Mike Malyan left Monuments for the second time, citing emotional health as the reason for departure.
On August 9, 2024, Monuments announced that guitarist John Browne will be taking a break due to
ankylosing spondylitis
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of arthritis from the disease spectrum of axial spondyloarthritis. It is characterized by long-term inflammation of the joints of the spine, typically where the spine joins the pelvis. With AS, eye and bow ...
which he has been diagnosed with a few years earlier, and that the band will be going on indefinite hiatus, withdrawing from a planned US tour with
Leprous
Leprous is a Norwegian progressive metal band from Notodden, formed in 2001. The group was founded by singer and keyboardist Einar Solberg and guitarist Tor Oddmund Suhrke.
After releasing several demos with relatively unstable lineups, the ban ...
and Fight the Fight.
Band members
Current members
* John Browne – guitars (2007–2024)
* Andy Cizek – vocals (2019–2024)
* Werner Erkelens – bass (2023–2024; touring member 2022)
Former members
* Josh Travis – vocals, guitars (2007–2010)
* Neema Askari – vocals (2010–2011)
* Greg Pope – vocals (2010–2011)
* Matt Rose – vocals (2012–2013)
* Anup Sastry – drums (2015–2016, 2018)
* Daniel Lang – drums (2016–2018, 2018–2019)
* Chris Barretto – vocals (2013–2019)
* Olly Steele – guitars (2011–2021)
* Adam Swan – bass (2010–2023)
* Mike Malyan – drums (2010–2015, 2019–2024); samples (2014–2015, 2019–2024)
Touring musicians
* Jake Monson – guitars (2010)
* Paul Ortiz – guitars (2010–2011)
* Kaan Tasan – vocals (2010)
* John Gillen – drums (2014)
* Alex Rüdinger – drums (2014)
Timeline
Discography
Studio albums
*''
Gnosis
Gnosis is the common Greek noun for knowledge ( γνῶσις, ''gnōsis'', f.). The term was used among various Hellenistic religions and philosophies in the Greco-Roman world. It is best known for its implication within Gnosticism, where ...
'' (2012,
Century Media Records
Century Media Records is a German heavy metal record label with offices in Germany, the United States and the United Kingdom. In August 2015, Century Media was acquired by Sony Music for US$17 million.
Background
Century Media was founded by R ...
)
*'' The Amanuensis'' (2014, Century Media Records)
*''
Phronesis
In ancient Greek philosophy, () refers to the type of wisdom or intelligence concerned with practical action. It implies good judgment and excellence of character and habits. In Aristotelian ethics, the concept is distinguished from other words ...
'' (2018, Century Media Records)
*'' In Stasis'' (2022, Century Media Records)
Demos
*''...And It Will End in Dissonance'' (2006)
*''We Are the Foundation'' (2010)