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Draft:Monolithe

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Monolithe
OriginParis, France
GenresDoom metal, funeral doom metal, progressive metal
Years active2001–present
LabelsHammerheart Records, Time Tombs Production, Les Acteurs de l'Ombre Productions, Debemur Morti Productions, Candlelight Records, Appease Me...
MembersSylvain Bégot
Benoît Blin
Thibault Faucher
Axel Hurard
Vincent Rémon
Quentin Verdier
Websitemonolithe.bandcamp.com

Monolithe is a French doom metal band from Paris, formed in 2001 by guitarist Sylvain Bégot. The band is notable for its science fiction concept albums and progressive structures, initially characterized by releasing albums consisting of a single track spanning over fifty minutes.[1]

History

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Origins (2001 – 2015)

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The project was launched in 2001 by guitarist Sylvain Bégot from band Anthemon.[2] The initial concept was centered around a continuous conceptual saga divided into four main installments (Monolithe I through IV), with each album comprising a single track lasting between 52 and 57 minutes.[1] The band signed with the underground label Appease Me... (run by members of Blut aus Nord), releasing their debut album Monolithe I in 2003, which garnered positive reviews from the specialized press for its atmospheric weight and heaviness.[3]

Monolithe subsequently partnered with Candlelight Records for the release of Monolithe II in 2005. In 2007, the group participated in a tribute album dedicated to the Finnish band Skepticism, titled Entering the Levitation, contributing a cover of the track "Edges".

Following a brief hiatus marked by two transition EPs (Interlude Premier and Second), the band signed with Debemur Morti Productions to complete the first narrative cycle with Monolithe III in 2012[1] and Monolithe IV in 2013.[4] These 2 records conclude the first narrative cycle «The Great Clockmaker».[5]

In 2014, the band released the compilation album Monolithe Zero, gathering both EPs physically on CD for the first time with new artwork by Robert Høyem.

Progressive Evolution and Live Shows (2016 – 2017)

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To mark its 15th anniversary in 2015, Monolithe transitioned from an exclusive studio project into a live touring act by recruiting a fixed seven-piece lineup. Musically, the band moved away from the single-track album format, adopting shorter, interconnected compositions for the twin albums Epsilon Aurigae (2015) and Zeta Reticuli (2016), which represented the beginning of the second narrative cycle «The Tame Stars».[6]

In 2018, the band joined the Nantes-based label Les Acteurs de l'Ombre Productions for the release of Nebula Septem.[7] This album was structured around a strict mathematical and geometric rules based on the number seven: featuring seven musicians, seven tracks exactly seven minutes long, using seven distinct musical keys.[7]

In 2020, the follow-up album, Okta Khora, continued this exploration, revolving instead around the number eight.

Kosmodrom and the New Trilogy (2022 – present)

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In 2022, Monolithe released Kosmodrom, an album themed around the space race, as viewed by the Soviet Union.[8] In 2026, Kosmodrom was ranked by Loudwire as the 6th best progressive doom metal album of all time.[9]

In 2024, the band launched a new musical cycle with the release of Black Hole District, the first piece of a planned new trilogy. This concept album drew heavy inspiration from the Tech noir genre, integrating prominent synthesizers and clean vocals into their sound.[10]

Musical Style and Themes

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Although initially categorized as funeral doom metal due to its extremely slow tempos and heavy production,[3] Monolithe incorporates atypical elements into the genre. Their compositions frequently feature twin-guitar harmonies reminiscent of Iron Maiden or Thin Lizzy.[2] Since Nebula Septem, Monolithe has been developing a progressive and atmospheric doom/death metal sound that blends massive riffs, hypnotic structures and cosmic sci-fi atmospheres, adopting a more dynamic and melodic approach whilst retaining a cold, monumental and immersive identity.

The band's lyrical concepts and imagery focus primarily on science fiction, cosmology, and esotericism.

The group’s imagery and structural dynamics were originally inspired by Stanley Kubrick’s film 2001: A Space Odyssey.[2]. Following the first tetralogy The Great Clockmaker, the themes evolved towards Golden Age science fiction style (Nebula Septem, Okta Khora) or the history of the pioneers of space exploration (Kosmodrom). The latest album (Black Hole District) shows clear references to Blade Runner, in the storytelling as well as in the sounds influences with the usage of the Yamaha CS-80 synthesizer.[11][12]

Members

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Current members

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  • Sylvain Bégot – guitars, keyboards, programming (2001–present)
  • Benoît Blin – guitars, backing vocals (2001–present)
  • Thibault Faucher – drums (2015–present)
  • Quentin Verdier – lead vocals, guitars (2023–present)
  • Axel Hurard – keyboards, synthesizers (2024–present)
  • Vincent Rémon – bass (2024–present)

Former members

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  • Olivier Defives - bass (2015 - 2024)
  • Matthieu Marchand - Keyboards (2015 - 2024)
  • Rémi Brochard - vocals (2017 - 2023), guitars (2015 - 2023)
  • Sébastien Pierre - vocals (2017)
  • Richard Loudin - vocals (2001 - 2017)
  • Emmanuel Mechling - harmonium
  • Kristofer Lorent - bass
  • Marc Canlers - bass, keyboards
  • Nicolas Chevrollier - guitars
  • Laurent Desvignes - vocals
  • Sébastien Latour - keyboards

Discography

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Studio albums

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  • Monolithe I (2003, Appease Me...)
  • Monolithe II (2005, Candlelight Records)
  • Monolithe III (2012, Debemur Morti Productions)
  • Monolithe IV (2013, Debemur Morti Productions)
  • Epsilon Aurigae (2015, Debemur Morti Productions)
  • Zeta Reticuli (2016, Debemur Morti Productions)
  • Nebula Septem (2018, Les Acteurs de l'Ombre Productions)
  • Okta Khora (2019, Les Acteurs de l'Ombre Productions)
  • Kosmodrom (2022, Time Tombs Productions)
  • Black Hole District (2024, Hammerheart records)

EPs

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  • Interlude Premier (2007, self-released)
  • Interlude Second (2014, self-released)

Compilations

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  • Monolithe Zero (2014, Debemur Morti Productions)

Live

[edit]
  • From Equinox to Solstice - Live at Beltane (2019 , self-released)

References

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  1. ^ a b c Olbrich, Patrick (November 14, 2012). "Monolithe : Interview mit Sylvain Bégot zu "Monolithe III". Metal.de (in German). Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  2. ^ a b c G., Gabriel (September 2003). "Interview with Sylvain Bégot (Monolithe)". Metal Distortion. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  3. ^ a b Azevedo, Pedro (October 30, 2003). "Monolithe - _Monolithe I_ Review". Chronicles of Chaos. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  4. ^ "Monolithe - Monolithe IV Released". Debemur Morti Productions. November 25, 2013. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  5. ^ "Interview Monolithe". Aux Portes du Metal. Retrieved 2026-06-02.
  6. ^ "INTERVIEW : Monolithe pour l'album Monolithe V". Thrashocore (in French). Retrieved 2026-06-02.
  7. ^ a b Gricourt, Nicolas (February 13, 2018). "Interview Monolithe : dans le secret des explorateurs". Radio Metal (in French). Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  8. ^ Alaouret, François (2022-12-12). "Monolithe : persévérance, expérience et puissance [Interview]". ROCK'N FORCE (in French). Retrieved 2026-06-02.
  9. ^ Blum, Jordan (March 9, 2026). "The 11 Best Progressive Doom Metal Albums of All Time (Ranked)". Loudwire. Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  10. ^ Garel, Jean-Florian (November 13, 2024). "MONOLITHE : les détails du nouvel album Black Hole District". Radio Metal (in French). Retrieved May 27, 2026.
  11. ^ Islander (2025-01-06). "AN NCS INTERVIEW: MONOLITHE". NO CLEAN SINGING. Retrieved 2026-06-02.
  12. ^ Shivers, Sounding (2025-01-21). "#Artist : Interview Monolithe". Sounding Shivers (in French). Retrieved 2026-06-02.
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Category:French doom metal musical groups Category:French progressive metal musical groups Category:Musical groups from Paris Category:Musical groups established in 2001

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