Rugby metallers Wounded Cross originally formed in 2014, releasing the Bonecrusher EP a year later. Known as 'Groovy Stoner Thrash Doom Metal', they'd play on the live circuit several times over the mid-tens before going quiet in 2017. The full-length Our Future Is Dead album followed in 2020, the band's final recordings at the time. Now, their latest single indicates that there's been a dormant giant in Warwickshire for the last few years. Sounding very different to the 80s heavy rock stylings of Wounded Cross of old, the band sound focussed, more modern and boast their strongest songwriting to date. It's a rebirth in every sense of the word.

An ominous clean guitar-led intro sets the scene, with some bass guitar and piano work nicely layering over the top to create an atmosphere early on. Finally, the song powerfully explodes with a cool drum pattern and some guitar chugs to really draw the suspense out of every note. As far as intros go, it ticks all the boxes - it paints a picture in the listener's head before they fully know what to expect, and leaves them with a true sense of anticipation.

The squealing, proggy guitar riff releases the tension as Wounded Cross ease into the main body of the song. It brings an epic, grandiose feel to the track with shades of Mastodon or Maiden, behind Graham's soulful vocal lines that comfortably weave in and out of its jaunty timing. Adding to the progressive nature of the song, there's a swift change in feel, and Wounded Cross build up to a powerful chorus with strong melodies and tasteful lead guitar work.

The vocal delivery has a stark sense of urgency, which matches the vivid environmental lyrical themes running through the song. Monument of Bones focusses on climate change, asking the question of what will remain of the earth if we continue down the path that we are on. There is something quite post-apocalyptic about the clean guitar line used for the intro and outro, and with a solemn, understated vocal line over the top of it, it could be the soundtrack to the end of the world.

Wounded Cross' musicianship over this song is really to be commended, boasting a great guitar solo, emotive vocals, and an interesting structure that leaves the listener guessing without falling into the trap of lacking cohesion. There's very much an ambitious, melodic undercurrent throughout that sees them cement this second era of the band as its own thing. It's exciting to think what might come next.

Sounding more refined, polished, and epic than ever, Wounded Cross's victorious return is a track to be played on repeat.