[2023-01-23]

OUT NOW AND SHIPPING!!!

CONJURETH - The Parasitic Chambers CD [MEMENTO-CXXIII] The highly anticipated 2nd full-length by this U.S. band. Although they formed in 2018, Conjureth went on a tear starting in 2020, unleashing two demos, "Foul Formations" and "The Levitation Manifest", which all culminated in their debut album for Memento Mori. Ominously titled "Majestic Dissolve", Conjureth´s first full-length achieved its goal: continuing the traditions forged by the originators of Death Metal, and then some. That they achieved that goal so swiftly and effortlessly was perhaps unsurprising -after all, this lineup of Conjureth do have or have done time in such bands as Encoffination, VoidCeremony and Ghoulgotha, among many others- but the power-trio slayed their way through late 80´s-inspired filth like a well-oiled/slimed machine. Now, Conjureth return with an album that arguably eclipses that all-too-considerable predecessor: "The Parasitic Chambers". Keenly understanding that Death Metal doesn´t need to change -or rather, the wheel doesn´t need reinvention- Conjureth turn that wheel with even more power and poise than before whilst keeping their core sound intact. Like that predecessor, "The Parasitic Chambers" locates that all-too-short time when Death Metal wasn´t primarily full of blastbeats, caveman riffs, ultra-low-tuned guitars and super-guttural vocals, slotting into that bygone age of 1986-to-1989-style Death Metal with a heaping portion of Thrash Metal riffing and a dash of the technical side of things that would be unearthed a few years later. If anything, Conjureth make their deathrashing musings even more manic and muscular here: while more ripping than ever, the riffing takes tons of wild and weird detours, often literally blowing the mind, as the rhythms take the "by the books" approach and bend the cover backwards; meanwhile, the trio´s multi-tentacled attack retains a full-bodied sense of heft that´s sharpened to an enviable degree by the clear-yet-crushing production. Or, simply imagine late 80´s Tampa receiving strange and unsettling transmissions from Finland a few years ahead. If "Majestic Dissolve" celebrated the past giving birth to the future, then "The Parasitic Chambers" is the sound of that future beginning to beautifully rot. Graced with yet another mesmerizing cover courtesy of Erskine Designs, "The Parasitic Chambers" continues Conjureth´s ascent as one of the most time-warping bands around! RIGOR SARDONICOUS - Praeparet Bellum CD [MEMENTO-CXXIV] The long-awaited 7th full-length by this U.S. band. True purveyors of aural torment, Rigor Sardonicous are one of the cultest bands of the American extreme Metal underground. Formed in 1988, the long-standing duo of bassist Glenn Hampton and vocalist/guitarist Joseph Fogarazzo remain one of the darkest and creepiest bands calling "Death Metal" home. Aided by their ever-trustworthy drum machine, Rigor Sardonicous are utterly lifeless and excruciatingly slow, almost daring the listener to find any "fun" in their all-devouring void of inertia. You could almost qualify their music(k) as Doom/Death Metal, but not in the traditional sense; existing for as long as (and even longer) than aesthetic forebears like Unholy and Evoken, Rigor Sardonicous´ slo-mo sizzle equally bears a future-primitive texture not unlike earliest Godflesh or especially the cult Skin Chamber. And so it goes with "Praeparet Bellum", the band´s first full-length recording in over a decade. Immediately and ruinously recognizable as Rigor Sardonicous, "Praeparet Bellum" thankfully features all the duo´s signature elements: crushing heaviness, beyond-guttural vocals and the very slowest of songwriting movement, but devolves them to a frightening degree. Perhaps because of their eerie absence since 2012´s Memento Mori-released "Ego Diligio Vos", Rigor Sardonicous sound more unique than ever on "Praeparet Bellum": the sub-genres of Doom/Death Metal and Funeral Doom are definitely in full swing, but there´s little to nothing around as unremittingly empty and hopeless as this. You don´t "listen" to this album, and you most definitely don´t "endure" it, for its ominous corpulence is only experienced. Bleak? That´s simply too fun. Here stands the End of all Ends. Be warned: you will not return from "Praeparet Bellum"! DELIRIUM - Zzooouhh + Demos/Live 2CD [MEMENTO-XLVII] Repress of one of the OOP and most sought-after Memento Mori reissues: none other than DELIRIUM´s "Zzooouhh". Aptly titled "Zzooouhh + Demos/Live", this 2CD set features the "Zzooouhh" album (1990), the "Delirium" demo (1988), the "Amputation" demo (1989) and a full live show recorded straight from the soundboard @ Network (Aalst, Belgium) back in March 31st, 1991. Over 130 minutes of rancid, primitive and odorous Death/Doom Metal like some sort of Celtic Frost / Dream Death meets early Asphyx, Obituary, early Death and Necro Schizma, with one of the most putrid voices ever. All songs were subtly remastered by Ted Tringo at The Ancient Way Mastering (U.S.A.). Expanded / upgraded layout by Ted Tringo as well, including liner notes by Mark Honout (Delirium´s guitar/vox), Ricard García (Morbid Visions ´zine), Wannes Gubbels (Pentacle, Asphyx), Costa Stoios (Tales Of The Macabre Mag, Iron Pegasus Records), Stephan Gebédi (Hail Of Bullets, Thanatos) and Olivier "Zoltar" Badin (Terrorizer Mag), as well as rare old pics and flyers.

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