Memoreve – Insignia – EP Review

Artist: Memoreve

Album Title: Insignia EP

Label: Independent Release

Date Of Release: 21 October 2016

These are the moments that make running this blog so worthwhile. I got into this writing lark over a decade ago to bring great music to the attention of as many people as possible. Ten years later, the goal has not altered and I still sit here on my battered laptop, writing about the best music I can find. Occasionally, something will come along to make me really sit up and take notice, something I’ve never heard of before, something to make the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. This is one such ‘something’ and it’s a pleasure to be able to write about it.

The ‘something’ here is UK based prog metal band Memoreve and their debut EP ‘Insignia’.

Knowing nothing of Memoreve until about five days ago, I naturally did some research. It turns out that whilst the name Memoreve might be new, the members who comprise the band are no strangers to the metal scene. That’s because the sextet of vocalist Colin Callanan, bassist Matt Hudson, keyboardist Adele Pease, guitarists Anthony Quinn and Alexander Green and drummer Ross Lavery have joined forces having been involved in the past with Power Quest and Dreamcatcher, names that might certainly be familiar to some.

I must admit that I wasn’t expecting an awful lot when I received the recommendation but as I’m always on the hunt for my next ‘discovery’, I followed up the suggestion. And by heavens am I glad I did, because ‘Insignia’ is magnificent.

I have listened to little else over the last few days because I’ve been so impressed with the music that Memoreve have created. To the point where I fervently wish that this wasn’t just a four-track EP. Twenty-five minutes is simply not enough.

Describing the output from Memoreve is more difficult than I first thought. ‘Insignia’ is most definitely progressive metal but there’s a lot more going on here than just ‘prog’. The music is technical but subtly so in many ways. You’ll not hear extended instrumental meanderings or gratuitous solos but you will hear adept musicianship, interesting song constructions and understated technicality, some of which only comes to light after a few spins.

This is properly heavy music as well with a faint djent edge to some of the guitar tones and riffs. This keeps things nicely modern and relevant, albeit not cynically so. Then there are the keys – they are all over the compositions and, to these ears, are truly multi-dimensional. On the one hand, they add a depth and richness to the powerful metal that surrounds them. At other times, they take the music into minimalist ambient territories or create a dramatic symphonic and cinematic soundscape.

If I were to throw a few names around as reference points, I’d mention Darkwater due to the huge synth presence, Textures because of the modern technical aspects of the Memoreve sound and Evergrey simply because this is dark and moody, with melodies that speak to me.

The title track is a beautiful opener to this EP. It is all about the keys and guitars for the first couple of minutes. There’s a sci-fi feel to Pease’s hugely impressive performance; it’s cinematic, gorgeously melodic, intense and minimal but more than anything, it communicates real emotion. The guitars are effect-laden, clean and subtle, accenting the keys brilliantly. Then, just as I’m thinking this might be the pattern for the entirety of the composition, in comes the fantastic rumbling bass of Matt Hudson and a cool drum beat courtesy of Ross Lavery, enhanced by a seriously fat sound. I love how the rhythm section sounds but the drums are properly beefy, just how I like them to be. The guitars of Green and Quinn are finally allowed to cut free and do so with power and precision, delivering really interesting riffs. All too soon the track draws to a close, descending into ambient territory once again as it does so.

There’s no such lengthy intro to ‘These Reflections’, which comes out of the blocks fighting. Again I have to mention the production. I’ve mainly listened on high quality headphones but I’m very impressed every time I listen as each instrument has the space within the mix to shine. If I was nit-picking, I’d like a very slightly different sound for the guitar riffs but to be honest, I’m being churlish because I can’t really fault what I hear.

The riffs are sharp and precise yet again, the rhythm section pummels with aplomb and the synths are once again a dominant ingredient without ever overpowering proceedings. Without wanting to annoy the men within the band, I find it hard to not think of the synths as the band’s strongest weapon, such is their atmospheric impact throughout.

I realise at this point that I haven’t yet mentioned the vocals. Allow me to address this oversight right now. Colin Callanan fits the music pretty much perfectly. He is a more than adequate singer, able to deliver a convincing performance that conveys emotion via an impressive range, allowing him to belt out higher notes or tone things down as required. ‘Descendant’ is the ideal showcase for Callanan’s abilities, allowing his full range to be employed via the longest and arguably most varied track on the EP.

‘Insignia’ then ends with my personal favourite track, ‘Alleviate’. The melodies at play within this song are sublime, culminating in a chorus that’s a thing of tremendous beauty. Again, in keeping with the rest of the material, this is a dark, heavy and atmospheric monster that catches me and captures my imagination. I’m addicted.

I really cannot speak highly enough of Memoreve. OK, so this might only be a four-track debut EP, a brief view into the embryonic world of the band but if it is any indication of what is to come from this highly talented sextet, I foresee big things. Very big things indeed. This is symphonic progressive metal of the highest order and I cannot wait to hear what comes next.

The Score Of Much Metal: 8.5

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yn0uMTjxkck&w=560&h=315]

If you’ve enjoyed this review, check out my others via my reviews pages or by clicking the links right here:

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Epica – The Holographic Principle
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The Pineapple Thief – Your Wilderness
Evergrey – The Storm Within
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Periphery – ‘Periphery III: Select Difficulty’
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Witherscape – The Northern Sanctuary
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Long Distance Calling – Trips
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Neverworld – Dreamsnatcher
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