Not Yet

iTunes Review

The second release by Israeli trio Monotonix picks up where their scalding debut left off. Most of the lyrics may get lost in singer Ami Shalev’s manic half-howl, half-yell delivery, but the music’s message is crystal clear: Monotonix wants to rock you to your core. Mission accomplished. Featuring 10 sweaty and relentless garage-punk grooves, the band performs with unhinged energy and aggression in channeling their self-confessed musical idols, the Stooges and Mudhoney. The crunching guitar, with the occasional semi-sloppy solo, and propulsive drumming simply never let up, and producer Steve Albini maximizes the aural assault by keeping things harsh and raw. “Blind Again” and “Before I Pass Away” are anchored by fuzzed-out riffs, “Give Me More” nearly goes off the rails at several points, and killer melodies and hardcore hooks collide in "Everything That I See,” “Fun Fun Fun,” and “Try Try Try.” Not Yet is an intense 32-minute thrill ride.