MEMORY GARDEN
"Doomain"
Metal Blade Records, 2013.
After 5 years of absence, Memory Garden came back with this new album called "Doomain" in April of 2013 and making their debut with the great Metal Blade Records too. I didn't have the chance to pay attention to the album until now when i watched their promotional video "The Evangelist" which is the opening track of the new album too.
Heavy (and sometimes Power) Doom Metal on its best form, Memory Garden without a doubt are the masters of this style, they have been loyal to it from the very beginning of their musical journey and there is no doubt that bands like Candlemass and Mercyful Fate are still part of the musical influence. However, they have established their own sound since many years ago.
Its amazing to hear how Stefan Berglund has still this amazing voice 20 years later after their first releases like "Forever" and "Tides" (which is a masterpiece), still sounding like those years, just fantastic!!! Drummer Tom Björn sounds better than ever delivering and showing his high skills, tight and straight. Simon Johansson has been essential part of Memory Garden's sound since he joined the band in 1997 and his song writing and guitar solos are just awesome. Is not something new that Mike Wead (King Diamond) has been friend of the band since years ago and that he has collaborated with them on past records, this time is not the exception and he plays a couple of guest guitar solos on the album along with the one and only Dan Swanö (Edge of Sanity) which has some guest vocals on the track "Barren Lands" which sounds killer, one of the best songs of "Doomain" for sure. Excellent artwork and production under the hand of Dan Swanö too. I really like how the guitar distortion sounds on this album, not extremely heavy and not light at the same time.
Extremely underrated band in my opinion, Memory Garden should be touring the world to spread their fantastic music!! I hope they don't delay so many years in release a new album and really look forward to see them live in the near future.
I want to thank Stefan Berglund for sending me "Doomain" to be reviewed on the pages of Brain Damage Reviews, tack så mycket!
Points: 5 of 5.
Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mw8T9bXKTE
