At attention, readers! It is my sworn duty to prepare you all for the immense battle that quickly approaches. Come March 26, we will officially be engaging in combat and only those that fight with the spirit of heavy metal in their hearts just might be able to survive. The looming conflict will be brought forth by death metal unit Memoriam, a group of British extreme metal veterans. The quartet has been quickly growing and gaining strength since their inception back in 2016, and they’ve reached a new level of old-school authority with their fourth, upcoming Reaper Entertainment full-length, To The End.
If you’ve been keeping up with the project of longtime Bolt Thrower vocalist Karl Willetts and former Benediction bassist Frank Healy, then you’ve already been made aware of the unbreakable heavy metal spirit and professional level of experience that fuels Memoriam. Factor in the extremely heavy artillery of riffs delivered by Scott Fairfax and the pulverizing percussion of dynamic addition Spikey T. Smith (also of Sacrilege), now we’re talking about an unstoppable force of old-school-minded death metal that overpowers all who stand in its way. I feel it would be negligent of me not to highlight the contributions made by former drummer Andy Whale (also former member of Bolt Thrower) from 2016 up until 2020.
From the start, this project has been carried out by members who are deeply rooted within the history of not only British death metal, but the all-encompassing extreme metal genre at large. They’ve been able to keep things moving at a relatively quick and consistent pace, with a sound that continues to grow in both delivery and aggression. The group put together a solid showcase of impassioned war-themed tales on their first couple albums For The Fallen (2017) and The Silent Vigil (2018), but from a sonic perspective, I personally believe they really found their footing on their last album Requiem For Mankind (2019).
Forging ahead down their path of sonic progression, To The End is a continuation of Willetts’ ability to convey powerful themes of death, loss, tragedy, and the woes of war, through his rugged, yet resilient growl. He and his bandmates’ dedication to honoring the fallen, acknowledging those suffering and those lost in battle (not just from war alone), remains at the forefront of this project. Shortly after forming, it was revealed that this project came together to honor Martin “Kiddie” Kearns (former drummer of Bolt Thrower), who tragically passed away in his sleep in 2015. With that sort of tragedy acting as the driving force behind this project, you can bet that there has been a strong level of passion and emotion contributing to the contents within each song ever since.
To The End sees Memoriam employing their usual methods of obliterating heaviness, the common thread across every track on the new album. These crushing components commence at the frontlines of “Onwards Into Battle” with a colossal lead riff, backed by a smashing drum groove. The instrumental elements come together on the opening track to set the brutally heavy tone for the rest of the record, leading into the death metal riffing machine that is “This War Is Won.” This track hits with a very ‘90s feel, with some speedy double bass and some thrashing guitar chords to back it up.
“No Effect” transcends the entire atmosphere of this record with its powerful introduction that lures you in with harmonizing guitar leads. A segment of music that will most likely prompt you to raise both horns in the air. Cymbal variations, monstrous lead melodies, and a sepultura-style groove, make this one hell of an exciting track.
The aggrieved, yet thrashing “Failure To Comply” gives way to some of the more doom-inspired tracks on the album. “Each Step (One Close To The Grave)” offers a slow, sorrowful atmosphere, driven by elements of doom and despair. “To The End” carries on those dooming traits, but with more ferocious qualities intertwined. Another shining moment for drummer Smith, who engages in a variety of tempo-changing drum fills, dominating the kit beneath some really drawn out, slow riffs.
Though Memoriam keeps their songs grounded in their heavy style of death metal, as each song on To The End unfolds, so do a variety of new musical elements that deviate from the band’s core sound. “Mass Psychosis” presents this sort of alternative heavy metal pulse, that is rhythmically almost industrial, while Willetts’ utilizes vocal reiterations throughout the track. Closing track “As My Heart Grows Cold” pairs personal pain with heartfelt melodies. Songwriting expertise, musicianship, and an ambitious structure, drive the melodies explored on this track straight through the heart. Where the first part of this album hits with sheer force, the second half of this album reveals a lot of the more emotional layers this band has to offer.
As Memoriam’s sound continues to grow, the flame of old-school inspired death metal for the new age burns brighter and brighter. What I find to be most impressive about this band and their latest release, is the members ability to reinvent themselves through a more emotive lens, while staying committed to their brutal roots. To The End should provide a source of hope for extreme metal musicians both young and old, showing that the death metal spirit these guys embody is something that will always continue to flourish, as long as they live. Onward into battle…the war rages on…To The End.
Purchase To The End here.