Mono

Mono are a post-rock group from Tokyo, Japan formed in 1999. The songs, all of which are instrumental, are usually focused on layered guitar melodies. Strings and pianos are also prominently featured in some songs. They are known for their powerful live shows and their complex guitar work.

The band's style of instrumental rock music is influenced by the genres of experimental rock and shoegazing, as well as by both the classical and contemporary classical periods of classical music, and also by noise and minimalism. Mono's sound is characterised by the lead and rhythm guitars of Goto and Yoda respectively, both of whom make extensive use of reverb, distortion and delay effects. The band's live performances are noted for their intensity, both in the playing and in the dynamics.

The video below is a (brilliant) performance of 'Ashes In The Snow' recorded on the bands 10th anniversary at the NY Society For Ethical Culture in Manhattan on May 8th 2009.

'New York Soundtracks' is actually a compilation album with various artists performing a selection of Mono's songs, but the release was credited as Mono's.

Music:
2000 - Hey You. EP [Forty-4, 128]
2001 - Under The Pipal Tree [Tzadik, 320]
2002 - One More Step And You Die [Music Mine Inc., VBR 233~320]
2002 - Session, 02 [Medicom Toy Corporation, 192]
2004 - New York Soundtracks [Human Highway, VBR 207~320]
2004 - Peel Session 2004.09.11 [128]
2005 - Split (w/ Pelican) [Temporary Residence Limited, 320]
2005 - Palmless Prayer/Mass Murder Refrain (w/ World's End Girlfriend) [Human Highway, VBR 192~224]
2006 - Live At The Triple Rock 2006.06.09 [VBR 160~320]
2006 - Live At The Great American Music Hall 2006.05.31 [Bootleg, VBR 210~224]
2006 - Memorie Dal Futuro [Vinyl Films, 200]
2006 - You Are There [Human Highway, VBR 204~224]
2007 - Gone - A Collection Of EPs 2000-2007 [Temporary Residence Limited, 320]
2007 - Live At 40 Watt Club 2007.10.02 [VBR 224~256]
2007 - Live At First Avenue 2007.10.21 [VBR 197-256]
2007 - Live At Richards On Richards 2007.10.24 [VBR 197~224]
2007 - The Phoenix Tree (Travels in Constants Volume Twenty-Two) [Temporary Residence Limited, 320]
2009 - Hymn To The Immortal Wind [Human Highway, VBR 189~224]
2009 - Live At Corporation 2009.03.24 [VBR 236~274]
2009 - Live At Ebisu Liquidroom 2009.03.14 [VBr 196~320]
2009 - Live At Patronaat 2009.03.28 [VBR 208~320]
2009 - Live At Stereo 2009.02.23 [224]
2010 - Live At Doornroosje 2010.03.21 [183~320]

Couple of side projects here, Left is more nice instrumental post-rock and DSCO is more electro-based music, not the usual stuff you'd expect from Mono.

Left - ???? - I Could Stand Alone Here [VBR 160~256]
DSCO - 2001 - Indian Winter [192]

DVD: (You need to download all parts and extract together for it to work)
2008 - The Sky Remains The Same As Ever [Temporary Residence Limited, AVI]
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6

2010 - Holy Ground - NYC Live With The Wordless Music Orchestra [Temporary Residence Limited, MP4]
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5