In Loving Memory - The Withering

    IN LOVING MEMORY is a melodic death/doom band from Spain, who formed in 2005. "The Withering" is their third full length album; they have also released one demo and an EP. I discovered IN LOVING MEMORY months back and have been excited about this release for some time. Their brand of doom is both expansive and moving and "The Withering" continues this. What stands out on this album is that it is so musical. What I mean about this is every instrument gets their time to shine without a single one overpowering the other. It isn’t just one huge slab of guitar that sort of hangs there or one riff that keeps going and going. There is a lot of happening in each of these songs. It is depressing yet melodic and enlightened. Any fans of melodic tinged, Gothic doom with death growls won't find anything here original but fortunately you will also find a well composed album that you won't be able to put down. 

     The album opens with "Stellar Runaway" and a thick, slow riff that is not only catchy but also made me do the slow doom full body head bang. The song is expansive and adds on layers of melodies but always comes back to that huge riff from the beginning. The middle of the song is powered by simple but extremely heavy riffs and keys. This entire movement is organic in relation to the previous minutes and rather moving. The intense and clever drumming keeps the pace adding a heavy and intense layer to offset the sorrowful doom. 

     "The Dance Of Moons," begins with clean tones but the doomed distortion rises up behind it. The music, varied and multi layered, flows effortlessly. The low death growls meld into it, all band members playing in tragic harmony. The dual harmonies in the song's mid portion are introduced at just the perfect moment and really make a catchy bridge to the song in addition to sounding a bit Gothic—and that melodic bass is superb. The band, and album, is at its best when they pour on the unrelenting melancholy but have a fierce focus.

     "Translucid Remains," is a prime example and one of the best tracks on the album and they have done, period. The thick riffs and deep growls lay down a doom/death foundation but the melodies and harmonies make it soar. The later half of the song is serene as it effectively combines their core sound with a melodic death approach—think a more doom oriented INSOMNIUM. "Sun Of Ebony" is another banger– this track soars during the melodic parts and hammers when they take a heavier path. Despite the track being made up of two distinctions, it is pieced together perfectly

    "Martyrdom Of Light," is the massive last track. The guitars swirl together, creating a tapestry that gives a the song a dense feel but also open and expansive. The song's journey reinforces the idea they approached the album as just wanting to make damn good songs and let them flow out naturally. 

     "The Withering" is IN LOVING MEMORY's best album so far although it has released early in the year, it has more than enough staying power to contend with what will come.