Memory Garden has been cranking out its own brand of Traditional Doom Metal (laced with Power Metal) for well over 10 years now. With its fifth release (and first since 2000) Carnage Carnival, the band proves itself to be a lasting force in the Metal scene. It’s easy to expect great things when the band sports former members of Memento Mori, Nightingale and Abstrakt Algebra, and Carnage Carnival doesn’t disappoint.

The guitars are dense and tight, the tempos are mid-paced to slow with good doses of double-kick drumming and the vocals, provided by one Stafan Berglund, are melodic and powerful. The title track opens the album with a strong combination of riff and melody. “Dominion” drops a strong Melodic Doom riff and has a good, catchy chorus. They crank up the Power Metal influence and double-kick tempos on “Another Night” while still retaining a dark atmosphere. The same can be said for “The Beast Within” with its ultra-melodic, twin guitar opening lick and head-banging tempo. The nearly 7-minute closer “Nameless” brings back a little more Doom with an angry riff and dark, brooding melodies. Overall, the sound reminds me of a cross between mid-era Candlemass and later Tad Morose…I think I hear hints of Morgana Lefay in there as well.

This time around, Memory Garden brings the Doom more in atmosphere with an all around ominous, brooding vibe despite the lack of snail-paced tempos. Honestly, it’s about as far to the edges of the Doom genre as a band can be and still be included. Regardless, Carnage Carnival is a fine offering of dark, menacing Metal music. Put it on your list.

[Visit the band's website]

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