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MNEMIC ‘The Audio Injected Soul’ (Nuclear Blast) (2004)
It has been almost one year since "Mechanical Spin Phenomena", the band’s debut album, was released, and during that year many good things have happened within the Mnemic camp. With a very good album on their hands and the support of a big label like Nuclear Blast, the five Danes had no problem drawing the attention of the music world. The band’s really good live performances (I was lucky enough to attend one of their shows) and the very impressive video for the song 'Liquid' brought many new fans to the already existing loyal fan base, and left us all wondering what their next move would be.
Well, we don’t have to wait any longer: the band’s second album 'The Audio Injected Soul' has just been released and so are the answers to all the questions that have been troubling your mind for all this time. A good debut album is a very important thing, but as many people say, it is normally every band’s second release that will indicate what is to be expected from them in the future. In Mnemic’s case, I don’t think that any of you should really feel worried!
'The Audio Injected Soul' continues exactly from where the band’s debut album left off. I don’t know if you had any expectations of this album being a totally different musical proposition, but let me remind you that Mnemic are not exactly the average everyday band that you will listen to either on the radio or at your school’s reunion party! What Mircea (guitars) and Co did manage to do, is to create ten very interesting new songs that sound fresher and a bit more 'mature' than the ones on their debut album.
Their formula: a mixture of aggressive and technical guitar riffs with catchy melodic themes - sounds a bit confusing, right?
The members of Mnemic have never tried to hide their appreciation and respect towards bands like Fear Factory, Mesuggah and the very important artist that listens to the name Devin Townsed (Strapping Young Lad). Now, if all of the previously mentioned bands/artists do manage to ring a bell, mix them up - add a personal touch and you know what this band is all about. Mnenic have chosen to describe their music as 'Fusion Future Metal' - well, I guess that songs like 'Overdose in the Hall of Fame' do manage to give credit to such a title.
The production of this album was once again handled by Tue Madsen (The Haunted, The Guv’nors, Soulkiller etc) and the result is awesome. Tue is definitely a very skilled producer and is considered to be the guru of the modern Metal sound – exactly what Mnemic would want for their music. He has managed to give such a vibe to the already well-structured compositions that it is almost impossible for any fan of this specific style of music to let this release pass him by unattended.
A piece of advice to the people who have never listened to this band before: take your time with this album. 'The Audio Injected Soul' may not be the most easy-listening album that you will ever hear, but its compositions will definitely grow on you – once that happens, you will find it very difficult to stop listening to it. It is not every day that you have songs like 'Dreamstate Emergency', 'Deathbox' (the heaviest song) and 'Mindsaver' in one album.
At some point during this review, I mentioned that the band has recorded ten new songs - well, that’s not entirely true. 'The Audio Injected Soul' has eleven songs, the last of which is a very good cover of Duran Duran’s world hit 'Wild Boys'. I am left speechless by the negative reaction of most of my colleagues regarding the choice of this song. When the 'gods of Metal' Judas Priest did 'Diamonds and Rust' (Joan Baez), or Angra did Kate Bush’s 'Wuthering Heights' nobody seemed to mind.
Now, all of the sudden people have a problem because Mnemic chose to cover Duran Duran? Well, I believe that these people need to have a cold shower to cool themselves down! 'Wild Boys' is a cover that I like very much, and if you manage to get rid of all your 'will I be Metal enough if I admit to liking it' kind of worries, you will like it too.
If there is one way to get convinced of the quality of this band, that is by attending one of their concerts. The band will promote this new album by supporting Fear Factory on their upcoming tour. If you decide to attend one of these shows, you will probably end up with 'The Audio Injected Soul' in your back pocket.
Review by John Stefanis
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