The Munsens just unleashed their long-anticipated, self-released new full-length, Degradation in the Hyperreal, on October 24. It’s an album that marks a significant evolution for the trio. The band’s latest work is a testament to perseverance, featuring songs crafted over a six-year period and a sound that aggressively folds together their doom roots with bracing new influences including death metal and grind.
Bassist and vocalist Michael Goodwin, alongside guitarist Shaun Goodwin, recently provided insight into the making of the album, its thematic depth, and the shifting scene they once helped cultivate.
The journey to complete the new record was a marathon, not a sprint. The writing process began after the band’s previous full-length, Unhanded, and stretched until January 2024, when the recording process officially began with Felipe Patino at Green Door Recordings. Michael Goodwin detailed the extensive timeline, explaining why this album took longer than previous efforts:
“The songs on this album were written over the course of roughly six years, between the recording of our last full-length (Unhanded) and January 2024 when we went into the studio to start recording this latest album with Felipe Patino at Green Door Recordings. It took a lot longer to write this one since we were not all in the same state, and it has more tracks than Unhanded.”
The recording was split into two sessions in January and March of 2024, though one track, “Sacred Ivory,” was actually laid down much earlier. Michael notes that the protracted timeline ultimately served the music: “’Sacred Ivory’ was actually recorded in October or November of 2022 with the idea that we’d be back in the studio shortly thereafter to record the full album. It took us a lot longer than anticipated to finish the album, but we think the extra time to experiment with ideas and arrangements worked to its benefit. It also enabled us to fold many different influences into this album.”
The resulting sound is a dynamic blend, maintaining The Munsens’ signature heaviness while incorporating potent death metal textures. According to Shaun, this is the sonic vision the band had been building toward since Graham joined in 2016. “This album encompasses the sound the three of us had in mind when Graham joined the band in 2016. We knew we wanted to write songs that incorporated more of our collective influences. Unhanded was sami-written when Graham joined, so a bit of that came through on that record. But this album was really our chance to build something between the three of us from the ground up.”
Lyrically, the album offers a deep, often dark reflection on contemporary life and human struggle. Michael’s contributions explore systemic and spiritual decay, sometimes drawing from literary inspiration. “This record comprises a few different themes. Much of my contribution deals with cultural rot and the degradation of the human spirit. I also played with an idea from Saramago’s Death at Intervals for ‘Supreme Death.'”
Shaun’s themes are more intensely personal and immediate, having been penned during a turbulent time. “I typically write lyrics last in the songwriting process and often use topics happening around me at the time which make them easier to put onto paper. Some of my lyrics were written during the pandemic, so they touch on depression, addiction, suicide, and physical and mental health struggles.”
The Munsens are part of a generation of bands that helped establish Denver as a major hub for heavy music. Michael says: “I think we’ve made contributions to the scene, as a band and as individuals, but I’d stress that we don’t see ourselves as pioneers of the Denver scene. Simply, we weren’t there early enough … We have, however, been involved for a while and watched the scene evolve. There are a lot of remarkable things about it—For example, it’s notable to have so many great bands, from internationally renowned acts to killer underground bands, in one city. We are proud to have been a small part of it and love seeing Denver bands get the recognition they deserve.”
The band’s move to New Jersey hasn’t diminished their loyalty to their former home, though they recognize the challenges it faces: “On the flip side, it sucks to see so many independent clubs closing and the hits the scene takes when those things happen. We are in New Jersey now and miss the energy of the Denver scene. We hope it persists despite a changing city and hope Denver remains a hotbed for heavy music. We had to book an album release show at Hi-Dive to show our love and appreciation for the city. We plan to come out as often as we can.”
With the new album finally complete, The Munsens are shifting focus to promotion and their new geographic reality. While touring plans are still coalescing, the immediate priority is the album release and establishing a presence on the East Coast. Shaun comments on the immediate road plans.
“Other than two album release shows, we don’t have any concrete tour plans at the moment, but we’re currently booking 2026 festivals and discussing a Northeast run for early 2026. We’ve got a few ideas for new songs but are primarily focused on this record release and getting things moving on the East Coast now that Shaun and I have moved to New Jersey.”
Fans can catch The Munsens celebrating the release of their new album on November 15 at Hi-Dive in Denver, CO, and on November 22 at Over the Moon Art Studios in Asbury Park, NJ.
Degradation in the Hyperreal is out now, and you can order it here. Follow The Munsens on Facebook and Instagram for future updates.
Photo courtesy of The Munsens
