Search - Withered :: Memento Mori

A fine example of first generation Death Metal

Murat Batmaz | Istanbul, Turkey | 09/20/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Memento Mori is the debut release of American extreme metal band Withered, in many ways evocative of the first generation nihilistic death metal acts like Unleashed, Entombed, and Dismember. With numerous sludgy elements comprised of slow, agonizing riffage that also recall modern bands Mastodon, the album takes you on a short musical journey back in time when the earlier Swedish metal bands were at their creative peak, playing relentless death metal heavier than a ten-ton hammer.



Arguably the best release Lifeforce Records have put out in 2005, Memento Mori mostly stands out with its dark atmosphere, delving into black metal territory, especially on the short cuts "Silent Grave" and "Fear and Pain That Cripples Me". Tremelo-picked guitar riffs abound the tracks with a similarity to the black/death extremity of Dissection, the normally grinding vocals of Chris Freeman and Mike Thompson turn into maniacal screaming over an impressive technical lead solo. The dark atmosphere is also evident on the almost 9-minute album finale "Among Sorrow", loaded with pulverizing sludge riffs, spoken vocals, and an almost doomy style. The dark vibe of the song will please many Immolation fans.



With all that said, the centrepiece of Memento Mori is the other 8-minute number "Like Locusts". The song embodies everything Withered is about, from a sludgy build-up in the intro that breaks into a passage filled with massive guitar lines, shifts of complex rhythms marked by fiery drumming, brutal vocals that border on grindcore, and a very distorted bass bottom. Fans of Mastodon and Isis are going to drool over "Beyond Wrath" for its long drawn-out instrumental section, rock-solid riffs, and Chris Freeman's tortured vocals. The riff at the end of this song is simply out of this world. Next to Mastodon, Withered are a band that have excelled in playing awesome guitar riffs that characterize the essence of their brutality. Given the proper promotion and a tour in support of a huge band, Withered could enjoy considerable success in the metal community."

It's All Said.

Sunshine the Werewolf | Canada | 03/16/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"WITHERED - Memento Mori

-

Withered has found away to combine all things heavy into their pulverizing debut Memento Mori. Taking sludge and doom metal to new heights (Or should I say `Lows'?) with a combination of blistering grind and black, death metal. The atmosphere created is comparable to older Isis or Neurosis, yet much, much darker in scope. Their addition of thriving low lying guitar harmonies are often at times the only glimpse of beauty in their dark musical delivery. The thundering low-end (distorted) bass and Scrowled* vocals are reminiscent, at times, of Troy from Mastodon. And the drum work is a mix between simplistic pounding rhythms and complex tribal vibes.

[*SCROWLED (Skr_owl_d) - A combination of Screaming and Growling*

NOTE: Made up word - DO NOT USE in everyday speech. - You will sound like an idiot!]



Fear not, Withered is no clone... in fact this band seems to have so many influences it is difficult to determine standard classifications ,so for genre sake I will just call it Heavy Metal.

This release is solid, especially for a debut... more so, the potential they have is undeniable.



Favorite Songs: Within Your Grief, Among Sorrow, and Beyond Within.

-4.5



IF YOU LIKED, AGREED OR APPRECIATED THIS. PLEASE CLICK YES FOR:

"Was this review helpful?"

"