Millencolin
For Monkeys

THE REVIEW

The third work in the long run of the Scandinavians Millencolin from Orebro represents the epilogue of the first part of their career. Indeed, a sort of trilogy begun three years ago with "Same Old Tunes" and concluded with this album where all the behind-the-scenes, peculiarities, hidden angles, and spontaneity are combed through. Why the epilogue, did they break up? But no, in the sense that like any great saga worth its salt, the plot (in this case represented by the seven notes) that has branched out over the previous chapters arrives at a conclusion here. And here indeed closes the first volume of the series, (there will be a second that will begin some time later with many surprises, but that is another story...).

This finale is not the classic "...and they all lived happily ever after..." or "good triumphs over evil," but the sum of the talent and passion of these four guys towards powerful yet melodic hardcore staged and deservedly represented across the twelve episodes that make up "For Monkeys." An album christened this way due to the members' habit of nicknaming each other monkeys!

If in the previous albums we had appreciated a sound that made cheerfulness and speed mixed with ska-punk its hallmark, where there was still enough melody, here things get better. In fact, the hardcore present on the CD is more mature, powerful, and dynamic compared to the first two, and in addition, the ska-like tendencies decrease almost entirely. Maybe for some, the label melodic hardcore is sufficient, for others generic; let's say the sound of the album is direct, lively, without too many frills: the duration of the songs is between two and three minutes at most, for a total duration that settles around half an hour. To give an idea of the sound: more Pennywise and less NOFX.

The album is born under their historic label, the Swedish Burning Heart Records, still their current label. While for the US market alone, distribution is entrusted to Epitaph. It should be noted how the agreement reached the previous year for the distribution rights between the parties is quite significant: Millencolin were the first non-American combo ever to get a contract with Mr. Bad Religion's label.

To practically clarify the "setting" and scenarios of the work is undoubtedly "Lozin' Must": powerful rhythms with Frederik Larsson's drums overwhelming everything, anthemic refrain, choruses, and an unforgettable splendid solo. Similar elements are also found in the opener "Puzzle" and in "Boring Planet," a kind of mad shard with guitars livelier than ever. Among the best tracks, "Twenty Two" really enjoyable and fast-paced and "Trendy Winds" opened by a pleasant bass intro, which immediately takes off, materializing into an excellent solo. For me, along with "Biftek Supernova," perhaps the most beautiful the group has ever composed. Also noteworthy is the more melodic "Otis" and the angriest track on the platter, "Lights Out," heart-stopping here with the bass line rising above the guitars on the choruses. Almost rock 'n' roll-like riffs instead support "Black Gold." To break the high rhythms of the disc and relax a bit, two well-done ska-core songs like the playful, festive and full of choruses "Monkey Boogie" and "Entrance at Rudebrook," with a riffing with a Spanish-flavored aftertaste, think.

As they say... even their way of playing ska-punk compared to the past has evolved, abandoning trumpets and sax and adding a pinch of speed to the cube.

One of the strengths of the CD is certainly the inclusion of beautiful choruses and solos scattered among the tracks. Excellent production that definitely highlights Larzon's good performance behind the drums, giving the compositions a sound both solid and rough at the same time. Also worth mentioning is the splendid voice of Nikola Sarkevic, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful in the genre that adds that extra touch to everything.

The album is one of those that, once heard at most twice, then struggles to leave the mp3 or the stereo of the moment. And luckily, I add, that the four declared at the time they had to record it hurriedly in just a few days. There's little to do, this album represents one of the peaks reached by new school hardcore (if not the peak) in the '90s, albums far more acclaimed like "Hoss" and "Punk In Drublic" do not quite reach the levels touched by "For Monkeys."

 A must-have for all fans of the group and the genre, an album that even years later will be appreciated by many. Without a doubt, a masterpiece in its genre.