Memnoir is the brainchild of Corpus Christi, Texas native Tyger. Enlisting a host of musicians from across the planet, Tyger unleashes his bleak vision of life and the part of it he inhabits with the gloomy progressive metal sound of Canto Vol. I. Musically you are in for a treat with this one but be prepared as it is a certainty that Tyger views the glass as half empty with his depressing and dark lyrics. This is a mood piece that explores the darkest recesses of the mind and soul with a heaviness that compliments his outlook on life. Still, it is a hard album to resist. His way of painting such a dreary existence is akin to watching an execution. You don't want to see it but you cannot look away. Maybe Tyger is just showing what is in us all but we refuse to acknowledge it.
Each of the six songs on this EP highlight a different aspect of a very self depraving soul. "The One" tells about someone who is numb to his surrounds and tired of being relied upon. "Demons & Friends" deals with people abandoning our hero. "Confession" is a bit ambiguous but seems to be about something terrible that happened one night while "Soundtrack For A Nightmare" is really explained in the title.
One of the most interesting songs is the track "Happathy". The title reflects the music while the message is anything but happy. This juxtaposition is really what I think that Tyger is after with this disc and this song, which is heavy as hell at times, mirrors the torment and tribulation he is striving for.
The disc closes with a melancholy piano and orchestral ballad called "Empty Strings". It is a very appropriate way to close out this journey to the dark side. After this one you can imagine why the statue on the front cover is weeping blood.
Although this is not going to be the next great party disc, it is an extremely moody work of art. You have to be in the right frame of mind and I strongly suggest that anyone with suicidal tendencies avoid it. Anyone else give this a listen as he is a strong songwriter and the dynamics of the album match his vision to a tee. If you are in the mood for a gothic tragedy then Canto Vol. I will fill the void. I am almost scared to think of what he is going to hit us with on Volume II!
Track listing:
1. The One
2. Demons & Friends
3. Confession
4. Soundtrack For A Nightmare
5. Happathy
6. Empty Strings
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