Album Review: White Stones – Memoria Viva

🎵 Tracklist:
Track 1: Memoria Viva
Track 2: Humanoides
Track 3: D-Generación
Track 4: Zamba de Orun
Track 5: La Ira
Track 6: Somos
Track 7: Grito al silencio
Track 8: Vencedores Vencidos
Track 9: Yemayá

🎸 Album Review:
White Stones, the brainchild of Opeth’s bassist Martin Mendez, has unleashed their debut album ‘Memoria Viva’ onto the metal scene, offering a captivating blend of death metal and progressive elements. With a tracklist that delves into themes of human nature, spirituality, and societal issues, ‘Memoria Viva’ is a sonic journey that demands the listener’s full attention.

From the opening title track “Memoria Viva,” the album sets a dark and intense tone, with crushing riffs and intricate rhythms that immediately grab hold of the listener. The production is crisp and powerful, allowing each instrument to shine through, creating a dense sonic landscape that is both heavy and atmospheric. The growling vocals add an extra layer of aggression, perfectly complementing the instrumental arrangements.

Standout tracks like “Humanoides” and “D-Generación” showcase the band’s ability to seamlessly blend complex musical passages with brutal heaviness. The intricate guitar work and dynamic drumming keep the listener on their toes, while the melodic interludes provide moments of respite before launching back into the relentless assault of sound. These tracks highlight Mendez’s songwriting prowess and the band’s tight musicianship, creating a cohesive and engaging listening experience.

“Zamba de Orun” introduces a more experimental side to the album, incorporating tribal rhythms and eerie atmospherics to create a haunting and hypnotic track. The fusion of these elements adds a unique flavor to the album, demonstrating White Stones’ willingness to push boundaries and explore new sonic territories.

Tracks like “La Ira” and “Grito al silencio” delve into the darker aspects of human nature, with lyrics that touch on themes of anger, frustration, and despair. The intensity of these tracks is palpable, drawing the listener into a visceral and emotionally charged experience that lingers long after the music fades.

“Vencedores Vencidos” stands out as one of the album’s most dynamic tracks, with its shifting rhythms, soaring melodies, and crushing riffs creating a sonic rollercoaster that keeps the listener engaged from start to finish. The intricate instrumental passages showcase the band’s technical proficiency, while the emotive vocals add a layer of depth and complexity to the song.

Closing track “Yemayá” brings ‘Memoria Viva’ to a mesmerizing end, with its atmospheric intro, hypnotic rhythms, and ethereal melodies creating a sense of catharsis and resolution. The track serves as a fitting conclusion to the album, leaving the listener with a sense of introspection and contemplation.

In comparison to Mendez’s work with Opeth, ‘Memoria Viva’ offers a more focused and aggressive approach to the metal genre. While Opeth is known for their progressive tendencies and dynamic song structures, White Stones hones in on the darker and heavier aspects of the genre, creating a more straightforward and intense listening experience.

Overall, ‘Memoria Viva’ is a powerful debut album that showcases White Stones’ ability to craft intricate and intense music that pushes the boundaries of death metal. With its complex rhythms, crushing riffs, and emotive vocals, the album is a testament to Mendez’s songwriting skills and the band’s collective talent. ‘Memoria Viva’ is a must-listen for fans of progressive death metal and anyone seeking a visceral and emotionally charged musical experience.