Exoneration - Monuments To Nothing
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EXONERATION – MONUMENTS TO NOTHING LABEL: ROTTWEILER RECORDS RELEASE DATE: AUGUST 29th 2025
We surround ourselves with vast empty vessels; stone edifices without meaning, structures of steel and glass that strive to pierce the azure blue perfection of the firmament. Challenging, defying, honouring nothing but our own self perceived greatness and worth, our destructive dominion over the Earth. Like enraged children driven by raw emotion we scream out our demands and expectations, building our towers, our weapons, our resource sapping follies…our monuments to nothing.
Featuring the combined talents of American musician Corey Stiles and Dutch vocalist and musician Arnaud Zijp, Exoneration is a metalcore project that spans oceans and continents. They were signed by Rottweiler Records at the beginning of December 2024, contributing a track to the label’s customary selection of festive singles and are now ready to unveil their colossal debut full length album, Monuments to Nothing. Opening with the squirming, snarling riffs and supremely aggressive vocal attack of ‘The Abyss We Crown’, a song that grows as it progresses, adding layers and dimensions, threads of melody, Exoneration set their stall out straight away; Monuments To Nothing is going to offer a multitude of different elements and emotions, but when it’s heavy it’s going to hurt! Following the choral vocals of ‘Psalm 115’ first single ‘Basilisk’, featuring a guest appearance from fellow metalcore performer Candlebearer, seems to hit twice as hard. It’s immediate, effective, intense and furious with some slower sections that absolutely crush. Another of the album’s finest tracks though is ‘Soul Of A Great Warrior’ – which utilises a very different sonic palette. A fascinating instrumental, ‘Soul Of A Great Warrior’ brings together huge bass tones, exhilarating solos, sublime sections of tranquil melody and passages of absolutely pulverizing power. These contrasts of sound, this willingness to spread their wings and soar over different landscapes is what gives Exoneration their particular identity and individual sound. From the muscular force of ‘Thorn’ with its incredibly visceral screams to the rich, melody infused riffs of ‘Martyr’, with its huge chorus, there are many faces to this monument to nothing.
Rottweiler Records will release Monuments To Nothing on August 29th, housed in the portentous artwork of Barnaby Oakley (Reaper, Underking etc) and the international alliance of Exoneration is sure to make waves throughout the global metalcore scene. Exoneration’s stated goal is to deliver “a sound that’s as diverse as it is uncompromising” and they have achieved that in no uncertain terms. Be ready to open your mind to a metalcore listening experience that’s prepared to step outside the lines and offer something different.
Genre: Metalcore
For Fans Of: Killswitch Engage | Times Of Grace | Bleeding Through | Refiner Line-up:
Corey Stiles – Guitar, programming, vocals
Arnaud Zijp – Vocals, programming
guest vocals on ‘Basilisk’ by Candlebearer
guest vocals on ‘Where Else Should We Go’ by Hillyn
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