Reviewed - 11/05/05
Memento
Mori
[Lifeforce Records]
What do Lifeforce Records and Swedish style death/black/doom metal have in common? Absolutely nothing, that is, until now. I must admit that when I received this CD in the mail, I almost pigeonholed it as just another one of a long line of Lifeforce's metalcore bands. That would have been a serious mistake, and luckily for me, one I didn't make.
Withered was formed in the summer of 2003 in Atlanta Georgia, by members of Grind/Crust band Social Infestation, Chris Freeman and Mike Thompson. By mid-2004 the band had completed a five track EP entitled "Order Born From Chaos", turned three of those songs into a demo and set out touring to promote it. Only a few weeks into the tour, Lifeforce had taken notice, signed the band and sent them back into the studio to record "Memento Mori"
From the first listen of "Memento Mori", it was obvious that this four-piece wears their influences on their sleeves, but in this case, it works and works well. Combining Entombed/Unleashed/Dismember styled Swedish death with a small amount of Dissection's blackened death overtones, a huge dose of early Katatonia styled doom and High On Fire brand sludge, they've taken those influences, rolled them up into a ball, thrown them in a blender, and created something unrelenting, suffocating and brutal, yet fresh and unique.
From the outset of "Memento Mori", Withered pummels the listener with heavy, fuzzy guitars and dual death-growls courtesy of Freeman and Thompson, some impressive drumming courtesy of Wes Kever, and the bass talents of Greg Hess rounding out the band's sludgy sound.
Production-wise, this album sounds exactly like it should; as dirty as a two dollar whore. My only complaints with the production are that the guitars could have been brought up a little further in the mix, and at times, the drums sound a little too similar to an old typewriter, with very little punch or bottom end. While the production has its minor faults, it certainly helps to add some more character to this otherwise very solid release.
While this isn't "album of the year" material, it is very innovative and a great diversion from the battering of cookie-cutter death metal albums we've been bombarded with thus far. Seriously, if you love death, grind, doom, black metal, or any combination thereof, give "Memento Mori" a shot. You won't be disappointed.
[Lifeforce Records]
What do Lifeforce Records and Swedish style death/black/doom metal have in common? Absolutely nothing, that is, until now. I must admit that when I received this CD in the mail, I almost pigeonholed it as just another one of a long line of Lifeforce's metalcore bands. That would have been a serious mistake, and luckily for me, one I didn't make.
Withered was formed in the summer of 2003 in Atlanta Georgia, by members of Grind/Crust band Social Infestation, Chris Freeman and Mike Thompson. By mid-2004 the band had completed a five track EP entitled "Order Born From Chaos", turned three of those songs into a demo and set out touring to promote it. Only a few weeks into the tour, Lifeforce had taken notice, signed the band and sent them back into the studio to record "Memento Mori"
From the first listen of "Memento Mori", it was obvious that this four-piece wears their influences on their sleeves, but in this case, it works and works well. Combining Entombed/Unleashed/Dismember styled Swedish death with a small amount of Dissection's blackened death overtones, a huge dose of early Katatonia styled doom and High On Fire brand sludge, they've taken those influences, rolled them up into a ball, thrown them in a blender, and created something unrelenting, suffocating and brutal, yet fresh and unique.
From the outset of "Memento Mori", Withered pummels the listener with heavy, fuzzy guitars and dual death-growls courtesy of Freeman and Thompson, some impressive drumming courtesy of Wes Kever, and the bass talents of Greg Hess rounding out the band's sludgy sound.
Production-wise, this album sounds exactly like it should; as dirty as a two dollar whore. My only complaints with the production are that the guitars could have been brought up a little further in the mix, and at times, the drums sound a little too similar to an old typewriter, with very little punch or bottom end. While the production has its minor faults, it certainly helps to add some more character to this otherwise very solid release.
While this isn't "album of the year" material, it is very innovative and a great diversion from the battering of cookie-cutter death metal albums we've been bombarded with thus far. Seriously, if you love death, grind, doom, black metal, or any combination thereof, give "Memento Mori" a shot. You won't be disappointed.
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Tracklist:
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| Rating: 8/10 | |
| Release Date: 2005 | |
| Length: 36:26 | |
| Review By: Mike Diefenderfer | |
| Total Reviews: (1) | |
| Bands Website: Go Here | |
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