Memoria: Death Calls The Islands

Death Calls The Islands is the third full release from Australian black metal crew Memoria, finding the band branching out into what would appear to be a concept album, or least an album of conceptually linked songs. Dark in theme and blackened in execution the results are initially quite stark, with a production that certainly cuts through, but in a bizarrely bright, polite fashion considering the style of album this is. Something which try though they might, Memoria never quite overcome.

"The Dogs Smell Blood" introduces proceedings with a hacking, brooding riff, but the vocals are unsatisfyingly deep in the mix, leaving their intended bite more of a gnawing niggle. The guitars too, while well manoeuvred and cajoled through grating riffage and searing solos never leave a lasting impression that has you craving more of their twisted intentions. In the end it is a shame, not because Memoria don't know what they are doing, but more because underneath a sound that leaves the album sounding like a cross between NWOBHM and the intended black metal, there's undoubted talent here. "Claw At The Pine" snarls along, bristling with intent and danger, while "Twenty Fifth Island" howls and gurns for all its worth. However whether it is the off putting clean vocals in the former, or wet cardboard box like drums of the latter, even the highlights only graze the edge of their intended target. Add to that the likes of "The Rats Resist" which is presumably meant to move the story along through acoustic guitars, spoken vocals and screams but in the end sucks much of the momentum from the rest of the album, and unfortunately there are almost as many reasons to pass on Death Calls The Islands, as there are to stick with it.

Next time out, hopefully Memoria can iron out the obvious shortcomings of this release to give themselves a far better chance of revealing the undoubted promise they possess.

Track Listing
1. The Dogs Smell Blood
2. Claw At The Pine
3. From Rats We Hide
4. E-C-T
5. Dr Creve
6. The Rats Resist
7. Twenty Fifth Island
8. Death Calls The Islands
9. The Blood Wave

Added: November 24th 2012
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Memoria Online
Hits: 1828
Language: english

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