Monolog Rythmus by Bonemachine: A Sonic Trip Down Under (2006)
Alright, buckle up, folks. Monolog Rythmus by Bonemachine isn’t your run-of-the-mill album—it’s more like a fever dream you didn’t know you needed. Released in 2006 via the gloriously named Smell The Stench label (props to them for not holding back), this Australian gem straddles genres like Folk, World & Country, Electronic, Funk/Soul, Industrial, and Dark Ambient. Yeah, that’s a mouthful, but trust me, it works. Or at least, it kinda-sorta does.
Let’s dive into two tracks that’ll stick with ya longer than gum on a shoe.
First up: “Faust (Ein Monolog)”. Oh man, where do I even start? This track feels like someone handed Faust himself a synthesizer and said, “Go nuts.” It’s got this brooding, almost theatrical vibe—like if German Expressionism had a baby with an analog drum machine. The industrial clangs are dirty enough to make you feel guilty just listening to them, but there’s also this weirdly soulful undertone lurking beneath all the chaos. You know those moments when you’re walking alone at night, feeling both badass and slightly terrified? That’s this song. It’s unforgettable because it’s equal parts unsettling and mesmerizing, kind of like binge-watching conspiracy theories online.
Then we’ve got “Dunkler Rythmus”, which sounds exactly how its title looks—dark and rhythmic as hell. Imagine being trapped in a basement rave hosted by robots who’ve never heard of fun. There’s this hypnotic beat that worms its way into your brain, refusing to leave until you’ve danced awkwardly in your kitchen for twenty minutes straight. What’s wild is how Bonemachine balances these heavy, oppressive layers with little flashes of melody that almost sound hopeful—if hope wore black leather and smoked clove cigarettes. It’s one of those songs that makes you go, “Wait, am I supposed to cry or fist-pump right now?”
The rest of the album follows suit, blending genres so seamlessly you’d think Bonemachine moonlighted as a mad scientist. One minute, you’re vibing to something folky and earthy; the next, you’re drowning in dark ambient vibes that could soundtrack a horror movie set in space. And honestly, that unpredictability keeps you hooked.
So yeah, Monolog Rythmus might not be everyone’s cuppa tea, especially if you prefer your music sunny-side-up. But hey, life’s too short for boring playlists. If you’re looking for something that challenges you while still making your feet tap involuntarily, give this Aussie oddity a spin.
Final thought: Listening to this album feels like finding a mysterious door in the woods labeled “DO NOT ENTER.” Naturally, you open it anyway—and inside, instead of monsters, there’s just...Bonemachine jamming out. Weird? Absolutely. Worth it? Totally.
