REVIEW: Memoria - "Death Calls The Island"
Memoria is an Australian band that started off as a folk solo project by Jonathan Caroll in 2003. Since then they evolved into a six-piece blackened death metal band. "Death Calls the Island" is the first album released that features all six members. It was released in 2011 by Misantrof Anti-Records.
The album definitely has a melodic but heavy feel to it. The low-tuned guitars and heavy bass give it this morbid sound. The vocals consist of a mix of high-pitched, black metal inspired growls and harsh cleans. Synthesizers are also included in the album in songs such as, “The Blood Wave.”
When listening to this album, I could hear the plethora of influences. The most prominent are melodic, black metal, and a dark atmospheric twist. This band obviously is influenced by black metal heavyweights such as Immortal and Burzum, but with melodic riffs they don’t sound as harsh. While listening, you feel this powerful sense of melancholy and darkness, very gothic-like. With collaborating their influences, this band really has a unique sound and brings a new kind of life to the black metal and melodeath communities.
I think this band and album are definitely for people who appreciate the original and gloomy black metal sound. I feel this album is too simple and repetitive. I get a more depressed feeling than anything. If that’s what the band is going for, well then they got it down perfect.
This band is definitely an acquired taste. Black metal has a dedicated following, and I definitely recommend any black metal fanatic pick up this album. As for everyone else, give it a listen and see how their music makes you feel. You may be surprised by what you hear.
The album definitely has a melodic but heavy feel to it. The low-tuned guitars and heavy bass give it this morbid sound. The vocals consist of a mix of high-pitched, black metal inspired growls and harsh cleans. Synthesizers are also included in the album in songs such as, “The Blood Wave.”
When listening to this album, I could hear the plethora of influences. The most prominent are melodic, black metal, and a dark atmospheric twist. This band obviously is influenced by black metal heavyweights such as Immortal and Burzum, but with melodic riffs they don’t sound as harsh. While listening, you feel this powerful sense of melancholy and darkness, very gothic-like. With collaborating their influences, this band really has a unique sound and brings a new kind of life to the black metal and melodeath communities.
This band is definitely an acquired taste. Black metal has a dedicated following, and I definitely recommend any black metal fanatic pick up this album. As for everyone else, give it a listen and see how their music makes you feel. You may be surprised by what you hear.
Rating: 4.5/10
Official Website: http://www.memoria.com.au/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/MEMORIA/316839766561
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Reviewed By,
Stephanie Jensen
