Brainstorm-Memorial Roots

Last Updated (Wednesday, 09 June 2010 14:59) Written by Miguel Blardony Tuesday, 18 May 2010 12:46

Release Date: February 10, 2010

Label: AFM Records

Genre: Heavy/Power Metal

Rating: 7.5/10

Comments: There’s a new force rising in Germany.

For all the accolades these Krauts have garnered over the last five years, it behooves this not-so-humble scribe to lament what lousy names Brainstorm give their albums. Liquid monster? Downburst? And now this “Memorial Roots”? But hey, hey, hey, the music inside this beast proves a hefty slab of pedal to the metal uh, metal. While the tempos aren’t exactly raging on album opener “Forsake What I Believe,” gargantuan testicles are at work behind the meaty, chest thumping anthems that abound throughout this release. For the creme de la creme, head right over to the mournful “Hailed Down Dreams,” epic “The Conjunction of Seven Planets,” and ball-tingling “The Final Stages of Decay” where singer Andy B. Franck’s earthshaking proclamation of the chorus compels the heavens to thunder.

More energized fare abounds as well such as “Ahimsa,” album closer “Would You,” and a slew of forgettable tunes that are workmanlike at best. On the musicianship front, the band are hardly launching fireworks, but then again Brainstorm’s forte seems to be memorable songs tastier when gobbled whole. So if nothing from guitarists Torsten Ihlenfeld or Milan Loncaric electrifies your nipples, don’t complain. The production here is also problematic. There just isn’t  a lot of ‘power’ sending shockwaves through each song. The deficiency becomes ever more stark when listening to a recent release by either Gamma Ray or Primal Fear; production-wise, the contrasts are startling.  Bottom line is Brainstrom aren’t delivering the goods with all guns blazing on “Memorial Roots.” However, stomping these blemishes to oblivion are the multitude of praise worthy tracks that elevate this album to almost Olympian heights.

Brainstorm haven’t exactly unleashed musical grandeur on this one, but it sure is a solid listen.