Right at the spot where the worlds of heavy/stoner rock, psychedelic rock, space rock and progressive rock collide, you will find the instrumental rock band Monkey3. Formed in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 2001, the band have built their reputation slowly but steadily, creating expansive, cinematic soundscapes without ever needing a singer. For more than two decades, they’ve proven that instrumental music can be just as emotional, powerful and memorable as any vocal-driven act. Monkey3 are playing live in three Greek cities (Athens, Volos, Thessaloniki) on February 4th, 5th and 6th and Myth of Rock takes the opportunity to present you the fantastic story of this mysterious band!
by Dimitris Zacharopoulos
Monkey3 began as a jam-oriented community in Lausanne. At first, it wasn’t even a fixed band in the traditional sense. It was more like a collective of musicians exploring grooves, textures and long improvisations. Out of this loose environment, a core trio emerged: Boris on guitar, Picasso on bass and Walter on drums. That chemistry was strong enough to push things further.
In 2003, the trio recorded their self-titled debut album. It came out in 2004 through the Belgian label Buzzville Records. The record introduced their signature approach: long instrumental tracks, heavy psychedelic riffs, space rock atmospheres and a strong sense of dynamics. You could hear the influence of Pink Floyd’s cosmic side, but also the weight of stoner rock and the hypnotic repetition of krautrock. For a debut, it was surprisingly confident and mature.
A key moment in the band’s evolution came in 2005, when dB joined on keys and sounds. This addition transformed Monkey3. The music suddenly had more depth, more atmosphere, more space. The keyboards didn’t just fill gaps — they expanded the band’s universe.
With this four-piece line-up, Monkey3 released “39 Laps” in 2006, again via Buzzville Records. The album showed growth in composition and production. The jams were still there, but they felt more structured, more deliberate. The band was clearly moving from pure improvisation to carefully crafted instrumental storytelling.
In 2009, they released the EP “Undercover”, offering their own takes on selected tracks and showing a different side of their creativity. That same year, they put out the DVD “Live at Aventicum”, capturing their performance at the Rock Oz’Arènes Festival. It was an important step, because Monkey3 have always been a live band at heart. Their music breathes on stage. Long tracks stretch even further, building tension and release in a way that feels almost ritualistic.
Then came “Beyond the Black Sky” in 2011, released through Stickman Records. For many fans, this was the album that truly established Monkey3 as a major force in European heavy psych and instrumental rock. The production was bigger, the compositions more ambitious. The band sounded focused and fully aware of their identity. The mix of heavy riffs and cosmic ambience felt natural, not forced. It was immersive from start to finish.
In 2013, Monkey3 signed with Napalm Records, a move that brought them to a wider international audience. That same year, they released “The 5th Sun”. The album marked a new chapter. The sound was still unmistakably Monkey3, but it had a more polished and expansive production. The themes felt even more cinematic, almost sci-fi in places. They were no longer just a jam band that made records; they were composers of instrumental journeys.
In 2014, founding bassist Picasso left the band. It was a significant change, given his role since the beginning. Kevin stepped in on bass, bringing fresh energy to the rhythm section. Line-up changes can be risky, but Monkey3 handled it smoothly.
With Kevin on board, the band released “Astra Symmetry” in 2016. The album entered the German and the Swiss charts — a clear sign that their audience was growing. Musically, it leaned even more into space rock territory, with lush synth layers and soaring guitar themes. The balance between heaviness and atmosphere was stronger than ever.
In 2017, they put out “Live at Freak Valley”, a live album recorded at the famous German festival. It perfectly captured what makes Monkey3 special on stage: patience, dynamics and the ability to turn instrumental passages into emotional peaks. Monkey3 truly build!
Then came “Sphere” (2019), another strong studio effort that charted in Germany.
Two years later Kevin left the band and was replaced by Jalil on bass. Once again, Monkey3 adapted without losing momentum. The core trio of Boris, Walter and dB had been together for years, and that foundation remained solid.
In February 2024, they released “Welcome to the Machine”. The title alone hinted at a certain thematic direction — mechanical, dystopian, maybe even critical of modern society. While staying true to their instrumental roots, the album showed that Monkey3 were still evolving after more than twenty years.
Last October, Monkey3 surprised fans with a special collaboration. Teaming up with the French trio Mars Red Sky, they formed a project called “Monkeys on Mars” and released their first EP under that name. It was described as a heavy psychedelic outer-space project — which makes perfect sense when you consider both bands’ love for cosmic atmospheres…
More than twenty years after their formation, Monkey3 are one of the most important instrumental heavy rock bands in Europe. They started as a small jamming collective in Lausanne and grew into an internationally respected act with charting albums and major festival appearances. And the best part? They still sound inspired. For a band without a singer, Monkey3 have found a very clear voice of their own.
So, get ready, my friends! One of the most hypnotic and boundary-pushing instrumental bands around is rolling into Athens, Volos and Thessaloniki this February. Monkey3’s heavy psychedelic/space/prog rock will shine on us!
