The cover of the album is a black and white abstract composition - in the centre is a kind of black structure, consisting of stone and crystals and resembling an asteroid. It levitates above the uneven and ridged surface below it, dotted with translucent spheres, and extending into a grey misty distance. No textual information is provided on the cover. I think it's a great atmospheric graphic work, that carries a feel of both mystery and anxiety- which perfectly fits the music. The album runs at over fifty two half minutes long, and consists of four rather lengthy tracks.
 
Monad presents the listener with a very harsh but atmospheric sludge, which enters bothfuneral doom, noise and drone. The combination of two bass guitars creates grating riffs interspersed with slow stringy and monotonous structures. The tremolo characteristic of Black Metal is very often used in compositions. Despite the absence of a guitar, one of the bass guitars takes on it's role. Of course, this gives it's originality. This is particularly audible on the higher notes. Of course, guitar solos are out of the question, given the very harsh and creaky sound. However, this opens up the noise and psychedelic experiments with-in sound. I would like to note the excellent compositionality of the tracks, each features several changes in tempo and musical component. The melodic structures in the compositions are rather stingy, but along with the classic sludge uneven rhythms, there are a lot of slow tempos and riffs, some of which I would call melancholic. Along with this, the compositions use rather lengthy elements close to Noise/drone and Dark Ambient, dispensing with the drum part, or with their minimal presence. However, the basic drum parts are quite varied and technical. It is also worth noting that some of the compositions use atmospheric keyboards, which, surprisingly, are harmoniously woven into the overall sound. The timbre and variations of the vocals go very well with the overall sound without causing dissonance. This is a variable, screeching Black Metal vocals that are very often used in this style of music lately. The overall sound quality of the album is quite clear and, I would even say, "sharpened". It is rather difficult to describe the listening experience. 
 
Monad is an extreme, harsh and heavy album, containing an overwhelming atmosphere of chaos and abstract evil, yet evoking a mood of melancholy and emptiness. Of course, I can hear influences of other bands- these are Neurosis, Zeni Geva and Khanate. Though Farer does not copy their styles but play in a similar vein, adding a lot of original ideas, staying within the sludge and related styles. In my opinion, Monad is one of the best albums of this challenging year. I highly recommend all fans of heavy and experimental music to check out this album.