Ah, the Danish Metal Masters that are the one and only Mnemic. Their new 11 track CD entitled, Sons of the System (Nuclear Blast Records) marks a confident return indeed. This record is also the 2nd featuring singer Guillaume Bideau formerly of Scarve and it finds him in even better vocal shape than on the previous record Passenger. That patented Mnemic groove leaden riffing is here in spades on Sons of the System, as is more of a melodic tinge to go along with the powerful metal style that Mnemic is known for.
On Sons of the System (masterfully produced by the legendary Tue Madsen) Mnemic bring in some more melody within the song structures but is most noticed in the vocal performances of Guillaume Bideau. Bideau's vocals on the previous Mnemic release, Passenger was OK at best. Bideau choose to OVER scream and shout the vocals on Passenger which went unfortunately, mostly unrecognizable and definitely was a downfall for that record for me and making it fail in comparison to the 2 records done by original singer, Michael Bogballe. This was unfortunate as musically, Mnemic didn't disappoint. Now don't get me wrong, I liked Passenger but it sounded like a totally different band. Not the case here with Sons of the System. Mnemic are back on track and sound like a metallic machine as they used to! Bideau has delivered some great angst filled vocals along with some excellently crafted actual singing! And the thing is, Bideau sounds a LOT like the original singer Bogballe in a lot of ways all over SOTS. Mnemic sound like Mnemic again.
Sons of the System starts off in great bombastic style with the killer title track that just simply crushes from the push of play. A total balls to the wall opening track. That locked down/locked in Mnemic rhythm is there in full force and with a chorus that is bound to get stuck in your head. 2nd track, "Diesel Uterus" opens with a Meshuggah-ish heavy detuned poly-rhythm that just opens up to reveal another catchy vocal chorus line, while never losing its heaviness. There is some serious Headbanging going on here. From the infectiously eerie plotting groove of "The Erasing" to the surprising almost industrial sounding "March of the Tripods", to the sinister "Elongated Sporadic Bursts", SOTS doesn't disappoint. "Fate" again shows that heavy guitar riffing that these guys are known for and this is Bideau's best vocal performance on the album. This is the record that Mnemic should have made after the amazing The Audio Injected Soul.
Once again sharp and hungry, Mnemic are obviously focused on being regarded in the same breath with the other kings of Scandinavian Metal like Meshuggah and Soilwork and with Sons of the System they might just get their wish. This is a metallically tough record and should once again put Mnemic back on the map. Welcome back guys!
Track Listing
1. Sons of the System
2. Diesel Uterus
3. Mnightmare
4. The Erasing
5. Climbing Towards Stars
6. March of the Tripods
7. Fate
8. Hero In
9. Elongated Sporadic Bursts
10. Within
11. Orbiting
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