Moonspell

Memorial reveals a more ferocious Moonspell than we’ve heard in a while. The album’s darkness pours out in waves of serious intensity, countered by pools of seductive melody, and the overall effect is heavy on brooding atmosphere. Sadly, atmosphere is Memorial’s key strength. The songs themselves are lacklustre for Moonspell, blending well together but too well. Differences become a matter of heavy guitar riff verses synth orchestration, and growl against croon against female guest vocals in one long musical movement — though "Sanguine” verges on classic Moonspell and I give extra points to "Once It Was Ours!” for eerie eccentricities. Memorial is still a decent record, but not the best Moonspell can concoct.