22. June 2025
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Media Review

Nad Sylvan – Monumentata

Florian Buechtingby Florian Buechting

Nad Sylvan - Monumentata

Nad Sylvan - Monumentata
5

Rating

 5.0/5

Flyctory.com Pros

  • Very intense atmosphere
  • Versatile and virtuous progressive rock songs
  • Smart plots in very epic plots

Nad Sylvan is likely most known for being the singer of Steve Hackett’s band Genesis Revisited. However, the Swedish artist is also having a very decent solo career. On 20th June 2025, he released his eighth studio album. Here is my review of Monumentata.

 

Nad Sylvan – About The Artist

Despite being Swedish, Nad Sylvan was born on 4th June 1959 in West Covina in Greater Los Angeles. His father was the former Grand Slam-level US-American tennis player Hugh Stewart. He initially also had a punk rock era, but is nowadays majorly known for his influence on progressive rock. In 1995, Nad Sylvan released his solo debut The Home Recordings, which has been reissued four years later as Blue Waters. Since 2012, Nad is a part of Genesis Revisited. He was also part of the bands Unifaun and the follow-up Agents of Mercy. His most recent solo record is the 2021 Spiritus Mundi.

 

Nad Sylvan – Monumentata – Track by Track

The nine track album lasts 50 minutes.

1. Secret Lover

Monumentata kicks off with its longest track. Secret Lover is a seven minute listen. The song immediately takes you into intense progressive rock vibes. Here and there, I do feel Genesis vibes, but overall, Nad Sylvan is rocking harder and also more virtuos. He intensively works with sound effects and synth elements. The slightly rugged flavor in his voice feels to fit perfectly to that. Wow, this kick-off is amazing and offers great musical quality.

2. That’s Not Me

Three songs of the album have been released as singles before the album. Two of them are coming now, starting with That’s Not Me. The second song of the album goes for a more than two minutes instrumental warm-up before Sylvan’s voice joins in. This time, his voice feels more gentle and melodic, which also allows a wider range of tones. On the lyrics side, the song feels more like a narration. A very nice listen.

Why would you want to lose your faith in how I’m doing in your neighborhood?
Seeds sown into my head, but I must plough a lonely furrow in my woods

3. Monte Carlo Priceless

You can modify the signs of days you’ve seen
You may stay alive until you’ve lived your dream
But your history just cannot be replaced
And now the wisdom in your eyes won’t match your face

The next over five minute listen is Monte Carlo Priceless. This time, Sylvan feels very melodic and thus even more reminds of the 1970’s Genesis songbook. The song feels a bit more straight and less frisky. But it does have its surprising moments like a synth-brass-alike instrumental part towards the end of the song. Overall, the third song feels very hymnic.

4. Flowerland

Now, Monumentata takes you to Flowerland. The present rhythm makes the song almost feel pop-ish. The scattered backing vocals add a lot of energy and the bass spreads quite some intense groove. Sylvan states We can stay in Flowerland, and presents a fairy tale-alike atmosphere. Feels like a perfect fit.

5. Wildfire

The bass takes the leading role in the first part of Wildfire. Latest when the choir-alike backing vocals are joining in, the atmosphere of the song feels to be a massive blast. However, this 6:31 minute song also has some rather quiet moments, which rather remind of folk rock. This plot paired with the excellent songwriting leads to a(nother) fascinating listen.

6. Make Somebody Proud

A steady crescendo of female backing vocals create a very different and new mood for Make Somebody Proud. Later, there are virtuous key parts as well as intense vocals by the artist. Sylvan makes this song sound extremely thrilling. The speedy guitar part towards the middle of the track, which leads into a rather quiet moment is a great example for that.

But in the middle of your coronation,
You’ve been diddled by your own sensation
Make another smile for photo frames
As the colour of your eyes meets the colour of your face
Hey that’s OK!
Add a token to your name
And a father to a son and to everyone
Make Somebody Proud

7. I’m Stepping Out

The song comes with the subtitle Vampirate Revisited. Indeed, the song feels like Dracula himself has added his favorite aria to the album. The rhythm of the song reminds of tango, which additionally leads to a special catch. Nad Sylvan takes the listener into many intense and fascinating musical worlds on Monumentata, but I would see this one being his masterpiece in that regard.

8. Monumentata

The next one is the title track of the album. Monumentata starts with the piano and spreads ballad vibes at the beginning. Even though the becomes more intense during its five minute duration, it keeps a rather harmonic style. Later the song even has an orchestral arrangement. I am stunned.

9. Unkillable (bonus track)

Compared to the other songs of the album, the four minute bonus track Unkillable is a shortie. The song strongly works with synth elements and has a rhythmic signature. I’m Stepping Out and Monumentata have been the climax of the album. This one is the lovely coda.

Don’t you heed disinformation
In the days of liberation
Okeydoke hey yo, we go
And stay unkillable
We stay unkillable
Presumed unkillable?

Nad Sylvan – Monumentata – Spotify

Here is the album on Spotify:

 

Nad Sylvan – Monumentata – My View

Monumentata is a true masterpiece. Nad Sylvan amazingly arranges the vocals and sounds to nine intense listen. Here and there, you feel some 1970’s nostalgia, but overall I simply enjoyed traveling with the artist into very different musical landscapes. A great album!

Favorite Song: I’m Stepping Out

 

Rock Music Top Pick! Reviews

Here are all my album reviews of rock music releases leading to a Top Pick! rating:

 

Songs Of My Life

Here are the postings of the personal Songs Of My Life category:

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