Episode 138 – Monumentum’s ‘In Absentia Christi’: A Radical Research Christmas (Sworn Enemy of the Virgin)

“And she became a completely different woman…” With that line, Italy’s Monumentum sums up the Radical Research Christmas spirit circa 2025. Supernatural hokum or divine prophecy told by madmen? Either way, screw all this shopping nonsense and screw your reason for the season: this 1995 album by one of the most enigmatic of all Italian enigmas blasts a blasphemous light on everything sacred. And we, here, right now, at the end of a year that began in torture, shine a light. We don’t celebrate anniversaries -- not of the musings of Mammarella & company nor of the birth of the bastard child. Still, we acknowledge the 30 years this uncanny album has sustained us in a way no other can. Note I: Jeff’s Voivod book, 'Always Moving: The Strange Multiverse of Voivod,' is now available. You can purchase a copy of the 540-page, 3-pound behemoth...Available HERE: radicalresearch.org/voivod

Note II: The Radical Research Patreon page is now set up and ready for your patronage. We are offering tiered subscription levels for those who want a set-it-and-forget-it donation option. As ever, if you choose to support us, we are humbled and grateful! patreon.com/RadicalResearchPodcast Thank you to Rob Kachluba and Joe for recent donations! Note III: Any mention of John Norum and the Monumentum song “Terra Mater Ofranorum” are purely coincidental.

Music cited in order of appearance: all snippets taken from Monumentum, In Absentia Christii (1995), except where noted Visage, “Fade to Grey” (Visage, 1980) “Battesimo: Nero Opaco” “A Thousand Breathing Crosses” “Consuming Jerusalem” “Fade to Grey” “On Perspective of Spiritual Catharsis” “Σελυνης αγγελος” “From These Wounds” “Terra Mater Ofranorum” “Nephtali” “La Noia”

Radical Research is a conversation about the inner- and outer-reaches of rock and metal music. This podcast is conceived and conducted by Jeff Wagner and Hunter Ginn. Though we consume music in a variety of ways, we give particular privilege to the immersive, full-album listening experience. Likewise, we believe that tangible music formats help provide the richest, most rewarding immersions and that music, artwork, and song titles cooperate to produce a singular effect on the listener. Great music is worth more than we ever pay for it.