Search - Media Lab :: Bleeding Memory

Oh my lord...

pErFecTsToRm | USA | 07/11/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Seriously, this has to be one of the best albums I have purchased this year...completely heartfelt music yet so heavy a majority of the time it just might blow out your speakers if you turn it up too loud. Media Lab reminds me of Deftones mixed with how 30 Seconds to Mars would be if they were just a little bit heavier. But while the Deftones-like riffs here are apparent...this is by no means a copycat band. The guitars buzz and crunch with no hesitation in each song...which of course the bass follows and perfectly compliments...but the two most impressive instruments IMO on this album are the drums and the vocals. The drummer seriously goes nuts sometimes on the kit, as where there could just be some generic like fills he puts in his own creation...and continues to keep up with the song. The singer/screamer deftintely knows how to carry a tune...but when he screams...it gets violent and he can hold a scream for a good long while.



Now lets break down the songs:



Embers - A little bit of ambience starts this one out...then all of a sudden the guitar comes in with a buzzing riff...the drums hit and it explodes with the singer belting out one of his violent screams. Very nice opening song.



My Perfect Storm - This happens to be my favorite track. It automatically starts out with a sort of a alternative feel to it at first...and you think all is well...but after the chorus...there comes a dark chugging riff with the singer once again adding to the heavy riffs in the best way he knows how...by his dagger-like screams.



Out In The Cold - This is just an ambient interlude that plays immediately after the previous track, its not too long and it does give you a little break from all the violence you have just endured on this album so far.



Save Me - Starts out normally with singing and the guitars while crunching are nonetheless relatively calm until the verse comes in...and then after one of the choruses it gets really heavy with all instruments coming in blasting with the singer screaming his lungs out.



Bleeding Memory - This one is interesting as it also has Johnny Santos of Spineshank/Silent Civilian fame contributing vocals in it. So you have two violent screamers trading off one one track and you'd think this would be a brutal track, and you'd be correct. The only part that has any actual singing on it is the chorus, but the guitars stay heavy.



Our Summer - The second the singer starts screaming and holds it for a bit you know you are in for yet another brutal track...this one is completely relentless and especially at the end when the singer holds a long scream with the drums double-bass pummeling loudly.



Come Alive - This one starts out kinda slow with a few screams here and there but its mostly singing...after the second chorus though it gets heavy once again with even more screaming.



As The Stars Melt Away - A track that is a nice little breather from all the violence you have heard thus far...its not completely mellow but its mellower than the previous songs.



Lie Awake - Pretty much like the previous track, relatively mellow compared to the others with some nice vocals from Liz of 33 Degree.



Pull - We are back again with the violence...as soon as you hear the heavy guitar slowing coming in the drums kick in at the right time and you hear the singer once again belting out a long scream. This one just like a majority of the other tracks does not let up at all.



Hate Me Again - Another heavy track with a great vibe to it as the singer flows with his words perfectly...a very strong and angry track.



Stand Down - Yet even more anger flows through this song, and its a great way to end all the violence and anger that have been pummeling your ears so far...because now we come to, by far...the softest song on the album...



With Or Without You - If you guessed that its a cover of U2's song you are right, and Media Lab definitely knew exactly how to do it. This is a prime example of how covers can and should be done...awesome way to end the album entirely.



Needless to say...this is an album you must own especially if you are a fan of the Deftones and just high quality music overall.



Note: This band now goes by the name of Aizen.



And one more thing, whomever said my review was unhelpful, here is an idea. Stop being a jackass, go outside and actually contribute something to the world for once in your pathetic ass life."