Monolord Neverending

BEST ALBUMS OF 2026… SO FAR

2026 has been a really great year for new albums. Not just new albums but, bands returning and giving us new music that is just as good as their previous work, as well as a bunch of independent bands that are really coming into their own. This is one of my favorite posts of the year. It’s a great way to catch up on everything that’s come out that yo might have missed and check out something new. Audioeclectica, while mainly focused on rock music, is all about exploring new musical avenues. Why not start with these! Enjoy!

THIS LIST IS IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER!!!

AUDIOECLECTICA’S BEST OF 2026… SO FAR:

01) Held- Grey
02) Puscifer- Normal Isn’t
03) Converge- Hum Of Hurt
04) Converge- Love Is Not Enough
05) Poison The Well- Peace In Place
06) Lamb Of God- Into Oblivion
07) Blackwater Holylight- Not Here Not Gone
08) The Owling- Intravenous Flow
09) Neurosis- An Undying Love For A Burning World
10) Failure- Location Lost
11) Monolord- Neverending
12) Corrosion Of Conformity- Good God/Baad Man
13) Nine Inch Noize- Nine Inch Noize
14) Sevendust- One
15) At The Gates- The Ghost Of A Future Dead
16) XCOMM- Time To Burn
17) Exodus- Goliath
18) Rob Zombie- The Great Satan
19) Genghis Tron- Signal Fire
20) A Place To Kill- A Place To Kill
21) Gaerea- Loss
22) Final Gasp- New Day Symptoms
23) Trauma Ray- Carnival
24) Carpenter Brut- Leather Temple
25) The Smashing Pumpkins- Zodeon At Crystal Hall

DISAPPOINTMENTS:
01) Megadeth- Megadeth

ALBUM REVIEW: MONOLORD- NEVERENDING

When you hear an album or a song that sonically catches your ear first, you know that what you’re hearing is meticulously crafted. The was exactly what happened the moment, I heard Monolord’s song “You Bastard,” the first single from their long awaited new album, Neverending. Across forty minutes and only eight songs, Monolord, has taken doom/stoner metal into higher ground that will make your speakers excited.

The thing with doom metal is that it can be drawn out and go nowhere. Thankfully, Neverending is not one of those album. Instead, Monolord, makes quite the engaging album. The focus and sequencing of this album is remarkable. From the way “Iodine” kicks off the album, you know you are in for something more. “You Bastard” feels like it’s straight out of the 1970’s, the way the fuzziness sounds and plays out. “Inside A Collider” is a trip of a song. Plus the placement of it makes for an interesting turn. Then it’s back to the heavy with “Crystal Bridge” which, also hits with a left turn that’s just so perfect. “Oozing Wound” is a killer song with a bass riff that would make Justin Chancellor of Tool stunned. “The Masque” and “Invisible” are a 70’s burner for sure. So much so, that such a trip back, it might make your pants into bell bottoms. Closing out the album is “It’s Neverending.” This just might be the bands heaviest song to date. There’s epic qualities to this song that feel like they are pulled from the depths of doom. 

As great as the album is, the other star is the production by Sylvia Massy. The way this album sounds is a triumph. Especially in an age where technology is heavily relied upon, going back to the well, sounds oh so right. The dynamics of each instrument, note, vocal, and subtle nuances are divine. This is truly one of the best sounding albums of the year. Sylvia is known for her work on early albums by Tool and System Of Down. And here, it’s brilliantly done by a seasoned professional who truly knows and understands what albums and real sounds truly sound like.

Do yourself a favor and carve out about an hour to sit with Neverending and let it just transport you back to the 1970’s but in a 2026 way. Albums like this will become sonic standards for the future. Especially when making this kind of music.

Overall Rating: 9/10

By: Brian Lacy

Monolord- Neverending: