The instrumental trio led by "Unsung Genius of Tapping" John Ferrara (Consider the Source) releases its seven-song album October 2, led by the singles "Monolith" and "Creatures of Symmetry"
NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. — Mono Means One, the instrumental trio of bass, keyboard and drums led by bassist and composer John Ferrara, release its new album Creatures of Symmetry on Friday, October 2, 2026. Ferrara, known worldwide for building entire compositions with the two-handed tapping technique, leads the band through seven tracks and 45 minutes that pair deeply emotional melodies and chord progressions with odd-meter riffing, epic 10-minute arrangements and breakdowns that edge into Meshuggah-style math metal. The album is preceded by two singles, "Monolith" and the title track.
About the Album
Creatures of Symmetry is 45 minutes of intensity by every metric. Across seven songs, Ferrara moves from delicate, singable melodies to crushing polyrhythmic breakdowns, often within the same piece. Several tracks stretch past the 10-minute mark, giving themes room to build, fracture and return.
The result sits somewhere few instrumental records go: memorable enough to hum, complex enough to count along to, and heavy enough to feel in your chest. With no vocals, the bass, keyboard and drums carry every hook, and the album lives up to the band's unofficial motto: "We make grown men cry."
"I think of it as if Thom Yorke and Tomas Haake had a baby — one that just looks a little more like Yorke," says Ferrara. "I took solo bass pieces of mine and reimagined them. These songs had so much potential to sound huge, nuanced and powerful, and I think the three of us achieved exactly that. I am very proud of this album, from the richness of the compositions to the playing and the production!"
The Singles
"Monolith" — "Monolith" showcases the band's signature approach to arrangement and musicianship: bass tapping, fluid role-switching as bass and keyboards trade melody and low-end duties, and virtuosic drumming woven through several distinct movements. "The idea was to bring the listener from whisper quiet with an eerie chord progression to madness by the time it reaches the heavy, mathy riff in the middle," says Ferrara. "I think we achieved it pretty well :)"
"Creatures of Symmetry" — Clocking in at 10:22, the title track is a prog epic that covers the most sonic terrain on the album. It moves through Ferrara's signature "tremolo tapping" technique, odd-time grooves and memorable melodies, then a chaotic bridge that builds into a solo section where all three members shine.
What People Are Saying
"Jaw-dropping." — Bob Boilen, NPR Music, creator of the Tiny Desk Concerts
"When it comes to bass tapping, John Ferrara is an absolute beast of a player." — Scott Devine, Scott's Bass Lessons
"The Unsung Genius of Tapping." — Charles Berthoud, bassist
About Mono Means One
Mono Means One is an instrumental trio: John Ferrara on bass, Isaac Young on keyboard and Rob Madore on drums. Built around Ferrara's two-handed tapping compositions, the band blends emotional, melodic songwriting with progressive and math-metal intensity.
About John Ferrara
John Ferrara is a solo bassist, composer and member of the progressive band Consider the Source. He has gained worldwide recognition for his unorthodox approach to writing and performing, built largely on the two-handed tapping technique.
His playing has drawn praise from prominent figures in the bass community, including Charles Berthoud, who called him "The Unsung Genius of Tapping." He has shared the stage with bass legend Michael Manring at Solo Bass Night Chicago and with Tony Levin's Stickmen.
Ferrara has been featured numerous times for his performances and lessons on the world-renowned site Scott's Bass Lessons. He also writes a column for No Treble, teaching his tapping method and how to use it as a tool for composition. He teaches his approach to a growing community of players in Bass Club, his online bass school.
Personnel
John Ferrara, bass
Isaac Young, keyboard
Rob Madore, drums
Release date: October 2, 2026
Label: Self-released
Track list
1. Monolith (single)
2. One Small i
3. Alternate Endings
4. Songer
5. Kleshas
6. Creatures of Symmetry (single)
7. Did You Make It Through the Storm?
Listen and follow
Bandcamp: johnferraramusic.bandcamp.com
Landing Page for Streaming: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/monomeansone/creatures-of-symmetry
Spotify: Mono Means One
Instagram: @monomeansone
Website: johnferraramusic.com
John Ferrara tour dates
10/9 Providence, RI - The Parlour % *** Album Release show ***
10/30 Brattleboro, VT - Marigold >
10/31 Worcester, MA - Electric Haze $ >
11/6 Syracuse, NY - Funk N Waffles ¥
11/7 Buffalo, NY - Nietzches £
11/12 Asheville, NC - Third Room*
11/13 Charlotte, NC - The Rabbit Hole*
11/14 Boone, NC - Boone Saloon*
11/19 Boston, MA - O’Briens Pub ^
11/20 Hartford, CT - Broadbrook Opera House $
11/21 Dover, NH - Fuego
% Felicity Hubris
$ Leon Trout
> Mono Means One feat Gabriel Marin + Jeff Mann of Consider the Source
* Muscle tough
^ The Greys
¥ Zefram
£ Sailing Stones
Get tickets here: https://www.johnferraramusic.com/tour/
Press contact
[John Ferrara] · [John.Ferrara.Bass@gmail.com] · [917-704-6757]
Hi-res photos, album art and review copies available on request.
Press inquiries: Keith James, Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com
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