Memorial Roots
Brainstorm · 2009
68 min · 14 tracks · power metal
A fusion of melodic power metal with introspective themes, delivering soaring vocals and intricate instrumentation throughout.
Top tracks — play these first
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Forsake What I Believed — The opening track sets a powerful tone with its anthemic chorus and dynamic shifts, encapsulating the album's blend of melody and intensity.
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Blood Still Stains — This track stands out for its haunting melodies and reflective lyrics, exploring themes of loss and regret that resonate deeply across the album.
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Cross the Line — With its driving rhythm and engaging guitar solos, this track exemplifies Brainstorm's ability to balance aggression with melodic hooks, making it a fan favorite.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Memorial Roots showcases strong melodies and intricate arrangements, balancing heavier riffs with introspective themes.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features tracks that consistently employ fast tempos and intricate guitar solos, while the second half shifts to more melodic and introspective arrangements.
- Several tracks utilize layered vocal harmonies, with lead vocals often soaring above a backdrop of complex instrumentation.
- The album includes multiple tempo changes within individual songs, creating dynamic contrasts that enhance the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- epic adventure through soundscapes
- cathartic moments of reflection
- dynamic contrasts in pacing
- immersive storytelling with melodies
Maybe skip if you
- prefer short, standalone tracks
- seek instant gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- In 2009, Brainstorm released Memorial Roots as their sixth studio album, following the critically acclaimed Downburst. This period marked a consolidation of their sound, blending melodic elements with heavier riffs, as they sought to establish themselves further within the power metal scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Blind Guardian· Helloween· Gamma Ray
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Forsake What I Believed 6:32
- 2 Shiver 3:21
- 3 The Conjunction of 7 Planets 6:34
- 4 Cross the Line 5:04
- 5 Nailed Down Dreams 5:38
- 6 Blood Still Stains 4:11
- 7 Ahimsa 4:24
- 8 The Final Stages of Decay 6:28
- 9 Victim 4:18
- 10 When No One Cares 3:21
- 11 Would You 5:13
- 12 Seems to Be Perfect 4:22
- 13 Too Late to Deny 4:33
- 14 Honesty 4:17
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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