It really feels like a missed opportunity delaying these when they were due for a Halloween release, both parts/songs really have horror movie soundtrack vibes.
That aside, I'm really impressed. Monsters has strong Bowie influences, especially thinking of Blackstar and Outside. That third verse is peak Axl with so much ferocity. I can see this one being awesome live. The General is quite a hard listen because of the lyrics/subject matter, but musically I'm really digging the heavy, dark sound and the ending is great.
On first impressions I'm enjoying Monsters more, but that's not to say I think the General isn't a great song it just goes to very dark places and fully immerses itself there, where Monsters has a slightly lighter feel (which makes sense as a part I and II) especially in the chorus.
"My only regret is that I never took the time to forget" ...oof