Yet another Metal band from the fertile land of Sweden. Sweden is known to be the home of multiple famous bands such as OPETH, IN FLAMES, ARCH ENEMY, and many, many more. SIDEBURN is like none of the above bands. SIDEBURN is a Sludge / Doom Metal band but unlike modern day bands of the same genre this band has decent vocals. The sludgy down tuned guitars and slow thunderous drum sections are still there but the groggy vocals are gone. Here the vocals are clean and reminiscent of older Doom Metal such as BLACK SABBATH.

When I first heard the slow drone of the guitar I was worried this would be the same Stoner / Doom band like MASTADON or HIGH ON FIRE, but when the clear vocals came in I was relieved. I compared the vocals to the ones used in BLACK SABBATH but I in no way mean these guys are on the same level as SABBATH. "IV Monument" is a decent release but nowhere near BLACK SABBATH quality. The album causes me to lose interest about halfway through every time I put it on to listen to it. This is due mostly because the songs all sound similar and the album seems to drag on and on. There are a few standout tracks like "Diamonds" and the slower track "Silverwing" but other than that the album is a yawn fest. The instrumentation is nothing to brag about but the guitarist can lay down a few solos here and there which is nice. The rhythm section does nothing more than it has to and that is to create a firm foundation for the rest of the music to ride upon.

Other than that I don't really have much else to say about "IV Monument". Keep in mind that I'm not the biggest fan of modern day Doom / Stoner / Sludge Metal, it just doesn't do it for me.