Memories Of A Lost Soul - 7 Steps To Nothingness
Deadsun Records

file under Death metal / Grindcore

Vera: Sometimes, bands that loom up out of nothing seems to have a proper pre-history. In this case Memories Of A Lost Soul. Founded in 1995 by vocalist/guitarist Buzz (his real name is Guiseppe Nicolo) and drummer Max, this Italian band achieved some national success in the past. The debut effort, aka demo, ‘Son Of My Satanic Creation’ and the first full length album ‘The Clockwork’ (1998) were received pretty well, while ‘Distorted Perceptionz’ in 1999 even became the most successful auto-produced album in Italy.

At that time, we were speaking of death/black metal in Swedish style, while a later evolution emphasized more keyboards, incidental female vocals and a more melodious approach. No panic at all, also the new product ‘7 Steps To Nothingness’ sounds heavy enough to please fervent death and black metal fans. It is true that the band had some rough times around October 2003 when three members left the band (amongst them founder and drummer Max) to go on in a stoner rock band, but after licking his wounds, Buzz decided to go on and gathered some new musicians around him.

The result is quite convincing. ‘7 Steps To Nothingness’ offers a large sprinkle of heaviness to please the old fans, and the modern, own production is not superb but it shows that the band has enough potential to go on and impress the masses in this new line up. Seven own compositions offer approachable death metal that remains quite interesting by its rhythm changes and melodic soloing. The songs are not too simple, that’s why we have got a lot of diversity. In two songs we hear some female vocals, but everything stays within limits and it is not disturbing. Furthermore is Buzz doing a good job on (death metal) vocals, without falling into monotonous “lower than life” roars. An acoustic intro, hoarse whispering fragments in ‘Seeds Of Chaos’, the surprising atmospheric ‘Love Damned Story’, this album recorded way back in 2004 shows a proper sight on the band’s possibilities. ‘The Curse Of Eternity’, for which the band shot a videoclip, is way back the most compelling track. Tight riffs and any black metal influences pass into some eclectic jazzy guitar runs. Rhythm changes remain prominent and all this results in a magnificent guitar solo. Everything is not optimal yet, but this own production sure has some fine perspectives for the future.

Rating 77/100 (details)

http://www.memoriesofalostsoul.com