Rise To Power
(Reaper Entertainment)
44:49min
When I first found out about British outfit MEMORIAM, I thought immediately that it was the logical continuation of BOLT THROWER’s legacy. Their style was closely bound to that band due to vocalist Karl Willetts and drummer Andrew Whale being ex-members of said band with the addition of bassist Frank Healy and guitarist Scott Fairfax, BENEDICTION ex – members. But by their third album they had managed to create their own brand of heavy, mid-paced Death Metal. “Rise To Power” is their fifth album and I think it is, so far, their most awaited album. At least for me. In my opinion Karl Willetts’ vocals had been hit or miss in their previous albums with most songs stayed in a certain comfort zone. It was really hard for me to differentiate one from the other. Now, with “Rise To Power”, they have gone way over my expectations. This album only delivers an awesome dose of that classic (so to speak) British Death Metal, but adds their own identity as a band. Healy’s bass and Smith’s drums provide a perfectly solid and groovy back bone to a bunch of tasty and catchy riffs courtesy of Fairfax. And to top it off, Karl’s performance is simply awesome. His vocals are as good as they have ever been. There is also this sense of melody, which pushes MEMORIAM away from their former bands and gives it a new character and an attitude that punches the listener right in the face since the first song. It is amazing how these songs maintain a wild and savage approach without losing control and perspective. Production wise, this album is simply massive. Now, one cannot expect a raw ’90s Death Metal production in 2023 so, yes, it has a polished and modern ring to it. But instead of taking away from the listening experience, it makes “Rise To Power” a really enjoyable experience. The mix is well balanced and every instrument has its own place. Nothing is pushed back or lost. The drums are punchy and organic. I really like how the cymbals cut the mix without overpowering the other elements. The bass guitar, filling all the low frequencies, is key to the impressive wall of sound, completed by the sophisticated guitar tone. And last, but not least, Karl’s vocals bond everything to make this album a stunning piece from start to end. I can come up with of a lot of words and ways to describe this collection of songs. But let’s skip all that and summarize this short review with the fact that MEMORIAM’s “Rise To Power” is one hell of a Death Metal album. And for me, a huge contender to the album of the year spot. Amazingly focused, monumental and so damn catchy it hurts! Get this one now! Support the band at www.facebook.com/memoriam2016 and get this release from their label www.facebook.com/reaperentertainment
Alfonso Perez
Rise To Power
(Reaper Entertainment)
44:49min
So far Birmingham, UK based Death Metallers MEMORIAM have never disappointed me! Since the release of their debut full length “For The Fallen” in 2017, the band already released five full length albums, that (for some stupid reasons) after all these years still get compared to the BOLT THROWER back catalogue. I mean, c’mon, just because Karl Willetts was their vocalist and both bands are labeled Death Metal doesn’t necessarily mean that MEMORIAM are just the continuation of BOLT THROWER. MEMORIAM is a different band, with different members and therefore they should also be judged as that. Ok, the war subject is still an essential part of Karl’s lyrics, but this time there’s not only historical, but unfortunately also current events combined on the same album. While the opener ‘Never Forget, Never Again (6 Million Dead)’ deals with the victims of the Holocaust in WWII, the second track ‘Total War’ (which was also released as a lyric video) is about the war in the Ukraine. What I love so much about MEMORIAM is the combination of Death Metal with the spirit of old english Punk. Guitarist and main songwriter Scott Fairfax has a strong Death Metal background. His simple and catchy, yet always heavy and definitely very effective riffs would also perfectly fit to bands like BENEDICTION (he already helped them out live back in 2015) or MASSACRE (which he is also part of at the moment). On the other hand you can really hear the old english Punk roots in Karl’s vocal delivery, which would make any band of that genre proud as well. He always sounds extremely pissed when he spews out his lyrics, which puts him a lot closer to a guy like THE EXPLOITED’s Wattie than IMMOLATION’s Ross Dolan for example. Ok, I have to confess that some of Scott’s guitar melodies indeed recall classic BOLT THROWER here and there, but then again, you’ll also hear a tiny little bit of old PARADISE LOST in some of the songs (like in the chorus of ‘I Am The Enemy’ for example). The album as a whole offers a solid mix of uptempo songs and slower, almost doomy stuff, but you’ll never hear any blastbeats, which is perfectly fine with me. This is pure old school stuff, first and foremost meant to bang your heads to. Also worth a mention here should be drummer Spike T. Smith, who replaced Andrew Whale in 2020. He not only supplies a solid rhythm section together with bass player Frank Healy, but also impresses with some amazing drumwork in general, with lots of interesting fills and solid double bass playing, so that the songs never sound boring. Just like its two predecessor full lengths, also “Rise To Power” was recorded at Parlour Studios in Kettering, UK again, so the production is top notch and probably even the best the band has come up with so far. In good old MEMORIAM tradition, artist extraordinaire Dan Seagrave also graced this new album again with his fantastic artwork skills, so vinyl lovers can spend some time again on checking out all his impressive details. To me “Rise To Power” is definitely the band’s strongest statement so far and meant to be played on constant repeat, as it combines all the best elements which made the previous albums so enjoyable already! For more info please visit www.facebook.com/memoriam2016, www.facebook.com/reaperentertainment
Frank Stöver
Rise To Power
(Reaper Entertainment)
44:49min
MEMORIAM are not BOLT THROWER! Basta! Of course, also with album number five the eternal comparisons with singer Karl’s ex-band won’t stay away. But this is not fair, because MEMORIAM have developed their own identity in the meantime, which inevitably shows some parallels to BOLT THROWER, but makes sure that the band is much more than just a continuation of the cult band. “Rise To Power” has become one of the best albums of the band and interestingly transports a different mood than the predecessors. This was already the case with the second – unfortunately somewhat weaker – work of the band that they broke with established standards and sounds and came along punky and crusty. “Rise To Power” now shows a more melancholic side, as far as this is possible in the Death Metal field. Of course, there is still the typical everything down-rolling aggression and the heavy-sounding energy, which one of BOLT… ehh… no, I do not say it! The well-known sound / style of MEMORIAM gets an almost sad, resigning slant on most of the song material. This does not mean that they now sound like MY DYING BRIDE, but this desperate, this losing faith in humanity (justifiably?), has never been better captured in the form of brutal and heavy Death Metal songs. Thus all songs sound extremely gloomy and melodic, but equally rousing and engaging. This musical pairing of despair and aggression makes “Rise To Power” a highly original album that clearly underlines the Brits’ own identity and adds some new and exciting nuances to their sound. Melancholic Death Metal as it can not be better, carried by phenomenal guitar work and an incredible vocal performance of frontman Karl. MEMORIAM’s fifth album has an almost hypnotic effect and is completely addictive. Just listen to ‘I Am The Enemy’, which sounds like the old PARADISE LOST, or the great opener ‘Never Forget, Never Again (6 Million Dead)’, which are excellent tips for this perfect masterpiece. MEMORIAM will probably have to duel with OBITUARY for the title “Best Death Metal Album 2023”. www.facebook.com/memoriam2016, www.facebook.com/reaperentertainment
Olaf Brinkmann
Rise To Power
(Reaper Entertainment)
44:49min
MEMORIAM from the UK don’t need any further introduction here. The guys are considered as the successor to the legendary BOLT THROWER due to Karl Willetts incomparable and unique vocal style. Frank Healey and Scott Fairfax, who both played in BENEDICTION, were the right partners in crime to continue the typical UK Death Metal style, we all love. What is a bit different to their old bands is the grade of activity the members show as they return now with full-length number five. The opening track ‘Never Forget, Never Again (6 Million Dead)’ offers all trademarks of MEMORIAM’s sound. Surely it reminds me of BOLT THROWER due to the drumming, Karl’s vocals and the groovy guitar work which also offers an enjoyable punky note. Of course the haters will start to blame them for lacking in originality, but honestly this is completely wrong as MEMORIAM have proven over the years that they are a full band which needs to be taken seriously and the degree of activity underlines that. Also I really enjoy the melodies they offer as this really enriches their British Death Metal sound. ‘Total War’ was already unleashed in advance as a taster and video and this track is fast and brutal, but still groovy and pretty enjoyable. Once again the brilliant drumming is worth to check as it really charms the shredding guitars. ‘I Am The Enemy’ is the first surprise for me, as it is totally different from the remaining material and brings my heart to jump while offering a Gothic Death Metal touch similar to old CEMETARY on their “Godless Beauty”album but with a MEMORIAM painting. Pretty interesting and definitely a side they could develop further. ‘The Conflict Is Within’ starts midtempo, but with pretty aggressive vocals before shredding everything and the lead melody really catches me. ‘Annihilation’s Dawn’ comes up with several breaks but then offers solid Death Metal. Same goes for ‘All Is Lost’ which is groovy as hell and should be a wrecking ball at live shows. The title track ’Rise To Power’ comes up pretty melodic and catchy again, but I really enjoy this side and where BOLT THROWER were limited in variation of their own style, MEMORIAM have the balls to also go into a more melodic direction and what can I say? It sounds great. Just listen to the track and get your ass kicked by the pounding double-bass. ‘The Pain’ closes the album with some calm classic guitar tunes. It is the second track of the album which breaks the borders between classic Death Metal and the old Gothic Death Metal of the early 90s before this style took on ridiculous forms. So, no this is not another BOLT THROWER album, this is MEMORIAM and it is damn good. Without doubt this one surely will be one of the top releases in this year as they simply deliver quality Death Metal far above average which was rounded off by a fantastic production and even better cover artwork! This album is a must have for all Death Metal fans, nothing more or less. Check the following sources: www.facebook.com/memoriam2016, www.facebook.com/reaperentertainment or simply order your physical copy via the dealer you trust most.
Michael Kujawska
Rise To Power
(Reaper Entertainment)
44:49min
I was talking to my editor about the last time I saw MEMORIAM and how I found them to be a middle of the road affair. He was slightly surprised and he expected I’ll perhaps trash “Rise To Power”, but well MEMORIAM did not give me that opportunity. How I remember their sound during the time I saw them and how they sound now are so very different. “Rise To Power” is a definitive step forward for the band, they sound massive as always but this time around they sound like they’re on a mission. There is literally no wrong note anywhere on the album! I’m amazed at Karl’s vocals, they seem untouched by time (and I hope it stays that way!). Karl not only sounds ferocious but strong as ever. Has it been three decades now? Unbelievable! Coming to the music in itself, there’s technically nothing new here, but MEMORIAM manages to stay absolutely true to their roots and seem to have declared an all out war. The opener on the album is bloody brilliant and if you need any motivation to listen to this album, simply play the track # 1 ‘Never Forget, Never Again (6 Million Dead)’ and you’d need no other convincing (this took me right back to BOLT THROWER though!) The guitars are relentless and this model of Death / Thrash assault always stays relevant. The drumming is perfect and on the whole the rhythm section is akin to a menacing ’90s UK Death Metal that we all know and love. Knowing that the personnel behind MEMORIAM are literally royalty, it is no surprise “Rise To Power” sounds the way it does. I am completely blown over by what MEMORIAM put out in 2023. It is an easy contender for the year end, I’ve already heard this album about ten times the past week and I think it’ll be on rotation for a long time this year. For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/memoriam2016 or www.facebook.com/reaperentertainment
Vamsi Kanagovi
Rise To Power
(Reaper Entertainment)
44:49min
I can’t deny that I’ve been a fan of MEMORIAM since the beginning. The four previous albums of the British Doom Death war machine really hit my nerve, as they featured nearly anything I love about the more extreme music. Based on grooving Death Metal, the four piece always had a more or less huge Doom impact and combined a certain dose of old fashioned English Hardcore with that. Not the one of the Anarcho Punk squad, but the Crust Punk and so called Stenchcore stuff. The result became MEMORIAM and grew more and more homogeneous over the albums that came. Now it’s time for the fifth album “Rise To Power” that in my opinion shows a new highlight in the history of MEMORIAM. The opening ‘Never Forget, Never Again (6 Million Dead)’ starts off as a grooving riff monster and takes a few breaks with even epic guitar harmonies full of desolation, fitting with the lyrical topic of the song. ‘Total War’ is an aggressive tune that spits forth anger and hate, yet surprises with more epic breaks, building a unit with the opener. A real surprise is ‘I Am The Enemy’ as it reminds me of early MY DYING BRIDE, but in a way more aggressive style, just like a Death Metal band playing a cover of a song from “Turn Loose The Swans”. Which sounds absolutely great in my humble opinion. A really torn, but huge song is ‘The Conflict Is Within’, as it reflects a mind that is unstable with a song “you can not depend upon”, to quote a central line of the lyrics. The second half starts with ‘Annihilation’s Dawn’, a more accessible song with some catching groove, but also some surprising turns and some moments that even remind me of VOIVOD. ‘All Is Lost’ sometimes sounds dystopic, being a partner to ‘Annihilation’s Dawn’ lyrically. The title track ‘Rise To Power’ staggers between dystopia and optimism, ending up in powerful shouts that commands the listener to rise. But a song title like ‘This Pain’ isn’t promising much hope, thus it’s no wonder this one is far from spreading optimism, grooving slowly and angrily. And thus ends an intense album that is able to leave the listener rather baffled. But it still is absolutely amazing, even though or maybe just because it needs some time to grow. To me, “Rise To Power” is the most ambitious record MEMORIAM recorded to date, a masterpiece of rather dystopian Death Metal. For more info please visit www.facebook.com/memoriam2016 and www.facebook.com/reaperentertainment
Thomas Meyer
• MEMORIAM - To The End (Mindaugas "Plix" Lapinskas)
• MEMORIAM - Interview (Frank Stöver)