Courtesy the Munsens
Audio By Carbonatix
So much for a sophomore slump.
After nearly seven years, the Munsens released its much-anticipated second LP, Degradation in the Hyperreal, just before Halloween, and it was well worth the wait.
“After a while, we honestly thought it would never happen,” quips Shaun Goodwin (guitar/vocals).
He and his brother/bandmate, Michael, are back in their hometown of Asbury Park, New Jersey. The Munsens officially relocated there recently after spending most of the last decade in Denver, where the band made its mark on the local metal scene, particularly with its 2019 debut, Unhanded.
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The eight tracks on Degradation are a culmination of long-held setlist staples, including previously released single “Sacred Ivory,” as well as the most recent material the kaleidoscopic trio’s been working on. While the Munsens have historically been billed as Denver death doom, the latest record is much more varied than that tag suggests. Degradation also secretes its fair share of sludge and blackened brutality, from the opener, “Eternal Grasp,” written shortly after Unhanded dropped, to newer entries such as sister songs “Vesper” and “The Knife.”
The time spent crafting this edition of the Munsens and everything that’s transpired in between, including Michael’s move between Denver and California in 2020, worked out for the better, the brothers believe.
“It gives you space to be more critical of some of the writing than you otherwise would be,” says Michael (bass/vocals). “At first, you’re pretty hyped on it, so you’re really enthusiastic, think it’s all great, then when you shelf it for a little while then listen to it, it allows you to see it in a more sober mind.
“I found that beneficial; when you write something and you put it away for a while, then reapproach it, bring in a new perspective to it,” he adds.
Degradation also features the work of longtime drummer Graham Wesselhoff, who stepped away from the project once the record was wrapped up. “It was the three of us and our collective interests, diverse as they are, implementing a vision we had for this band, which we reflected well on this album,” says Michael, who published music zine Ritual of Sin between 2015 and 2017 out of Denver. He also contributed to Westword while living here.
“It’s faster. It’s a bit more aggressive. It incorporates a lot of different styles,” he continues. “It takes advantage of the strengths of each person’s playing.”
“It was a natural evolution of the band,” Shaun adds. “It just kind of happened. … We did have some conversations, like, ‘Is this album too diverse? Are we too all over the spectrum here?’ I like to think we pulled it off in a pretty cohesive way, in an exciting way, where it’s not a boring 45 minutes.”
Courtesy Serhat Alparslan
Far from it. Degradation is a new chapter for the Munsens in many ways, a musical metamorphosis filled with unfettered creativity that sees the group meld many different subgenres into a uniquely original composition. Both brothers contributed lyrics, too, with Shaun mostly outlining mental health struggles and Michael taking his cues from the core idea of cultural rot and overall wilting of the human spirit. All mature themes that were allowed to marinate.
“When you’re in the thick of it, there were times we’re like, ‘God we got to get this out,’” Michael shares. “All things considered, I’m glad we did it the way we did it.”
Now, the Munsens, featuring drummer Sam Levitine, are ready to promote Degradation properly with its first release show set for Saturday, November 15, at the hi-dive. Local groups In the Company of Serpents and Inoculated Life are also on the bill.
The Goodwins still consider Denver a home away from home, especially when it comes to the Munsens. After all, Degradation was written and recorded out here, at Englewood’s Green Door Recordings.
“We owe it a great deal of gratitude,” Michael says of the local heavy scene. “Without Denver, this band doesn’t look and sound the way it does, and who knows, may not even exist.”
“We miss it a lot,” adds Shaun, who only moved back to New Jersey over the summer. “It’s such a unique place. Everybody talks about it. The venues, the owners, the way they treat bands, is awesome.”
Many in certain circles may recall Shaun’s booking company, Dust Presents, which threw two annual fests from 2016 to 2019: Electric Funeral and the Decemburger. He’ll be back in town for the Decibel Metal & Beer Fest December 5-6, as his hot sauce company, Sauce Leopard, is one of the sponsors. Plus, the Munsens plan to play out West as much as possible moving forward.
“We owe that scene. They really put us on the map. It wasn’t even a question whether or not we’d do an album release there,” Shaun concludes. “I still want to claim we’re a New Jersey- and Colorado-based band. It still feels like home to us.”
The Munsens, with In the Company of Serpents and Inoculated Life, 8 p.m. Saturday, November 15, hi-dive, 7 South Broadway. Tickets are $19
