Few bands have been more influential to death metal than Bolt Thrower. While their blend of punishing riffage, knuckle dragging tempos, and war themed lyrics may have gone unsung in the late 80s and early 90s, their following continued to grow into the 21st century, with the band’s popularity reaching an all time over the past 5 or so years. The amount of “Bolt Thrower clones” running rampant across the scene right now are infinite, but at the end of the day, there is only one Bolt Thrower. If there is a “next best thing”, it’s Memoriam.
Formed at the end of 2015 upon the passing of Bolt Thrower drummer Martin “Kiddie” Kearns, Memoriam features Bolt Thrower singer Karl Willetts, as well as fellow English death metal staple Frank Healy of Benediction. What started out as “a group of friends getting together to jam out some punk rock covers” turned into a full fledged death metal machine, writing and recording new original music. 8 years and 5 albums later, Memoriam remains prolific as ever on their aptly titled new album, Rise to Power.
Similar to the past 4 Memoriam releases, there is nothing about Rise to Power that reinvents the wheel. The band holds true to the early 90s death metal ethos, which is really all fans can ask for. There are no attempts at modernity or pushing the boundaries: Just old school riffs and devastation, with an extra helping of old school riffs. The opening “Never Forget, Never Again (6 Million Dead)” pummels the listener with this aforementioned riffage, as well as some pulverizing midtempo drumming and the signature growls of Willetts.
Too many in today’s death metal scene seem to forget that blasts do not equal brutality. Memoriam proves this, laying down the law in malicious midtempo fashion on cuts like “The Conflict Is Within” and “All Is Lost”. They also no when to kick things up a notch, particularly on the lethal “Annihilations Dawn” and gargantuan title cut, but for the most part, Rise to Power sticks to a cryptic crawl. This feeling of tension and unease only further emboldens the heaviness of Scott Fairfax’s riffs. As much as I admire his knack for hooks and groove, it’s the bleak heft of his riffs, reminiscent of classic Sabbath and Frost, that drive this release home.
Nuances of doom and crust scattered about aside (par the course for a true English death metal affair), Rise to Power is a no frills death metal album through and through, and a strong one at that. By no means does this feel like a rehash of Bolt Thrower or Benediction. Rather, it feels like a convincing continuation; one with the muscular conviction and distinct memorability that the lion’s share of today’s modern death metal crop can only dream of. Rise to Power succeeds in its simplistic honesty. There are no trends at play or crowds being catered to: Just old school dudes playing old school death metal. Sometimes, that’s all you need.
7 out of 10
Label: Reaper Entertainment
Genre: Death Metal
For fans of: Bolt Thrower, Benediction, Asphyx