"A.W.O.L.", a new song from the British progressive metal band MONUMENTS, can be streamed below. The track is taken from the group's long-awaited third album, "Phronesis", which will be released on October 5 via Century Media Records. "The word 'Phronesis' was a big part of society and philosophy in ancient Greece", explains MONUMENTS. "Phronesis is wisdom, but a really specific type of wisdom to do with oneself. Wisdom on your practical actions, good judgement, being excellent in character, practical wisdom. Learning what to do and what not to do based on experience, being mindful of everything around you. Something that, at times, all of us can be pretty terrible at." After touring the world heavily in support of its "The Amanuensis" album (2014), the intercontinental quintet needed to take a break and catch a breath for multiple reasons. However, the band kept working on "Phronesis". "My personal relationship with the meaning of the record starts at 'Stygian Blue', which was the second song I wrote for this back in 2015, and it came to be while I was in the darkest place I've ever been in my 32 years", says guitarist John Browne. "We all had a bunch of issues that needed time to let heal so, in between writing we were, you know, fixing our broken souls." Writing about topics that would be troubling their minds acted as a catharsis though, so "Phronesis" works as a turning point of the progressive metal band on many levels. The independently produced album was finally recorded between March and July of 2018 in various studios throughout the world: while guitars and bass were recorded by Jim Pinder (BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, MACHINE HEAD, WHILE SHE SLEEPS) at Treehouse Studios in Derbyshire, U.K., the drums were played, recorded, tracked and engineered by Anup Sastry (ex-SKYHARBOR). Chris Barretto recorded his vocals with Cristian Machado (ILL NIŇO, LEEWAY) at Soundwars Studios in New Jersey, then everything was mixed and mastered by Joel Wanasek at JTW Music in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. "Phronesis" is available as standard CD jewelcase, gatefold LP+CD and digital album. The track listing reads as follows: 01. A.W.O.L. 02. Hollow King 03. Vanta 04. Mirror Image 05. Ivory 06. Stygian Blue 07. Leviathan 08. Celeste 09. Jukai 10. The Watch MONUMENTS is: Chris Barretto - Vocals John Browne - Guitar Olly Steele - Guitar Adam Swan - Bass Daniel "Lango" Lang - Drums
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