Hailing from the dense woodlands
of Victoria, British Columbia, Hail the Void are set to release their sophomore
LP, Memento Mori, via Ripple Music on
February 17th. The trio’s much anticipated follow-up to their 2020 self-titled
debut album is an absolute beast of a record! Memento Mori is Latin for “Remember you must die” and that’s a very
powerful statement. It’s not just a reminder that death is inevitable for us
all, but also a strong motivator not to take anything for granted and to live
life to the fullest as we never know when our time will come.
The sophomore slump used to be a
thing, but it doesn’t seem so common these days. It feels like many bands have progressed
and evolved tremendously from their first to second LP in recent years. Such is
the case with Hail the Void: Memento Mori
is a testament of the band’s growth in all aspects, from lyric writing to
musicianship and sheer ferocity. The ceremony kicks off with a two-minute intro/prelude
titled “Mind Undone”. It is but a taste of things to come. “Writing on the Wall”
is heavy, epic doom that paints a thick atmosphere with its flurry of guitars
and sets the tone for the entire record. I love the intro to “Goldwater”! But
don’t let the gentle opening fool you—this song has teeth! It’s got Sabbathian
vibes and is a standout track. Next up is the second single, “Talking to the
Dead”, my second favourite track of the LP. Man, this song has everything! From
ominous riffs, mammoth percussion, throbbing bassline, and edgy vocals, it
slays all day long. And you have to check out the brilliant video for it on
YouTube right here—it’s like a mini-movie with fantastic imagery. Next up is “High
and Rising”, which was the first single late last summer. That song. What a
fucking experience it was to hear it for the first time last year! I couldn’t believe
I’d have to wait five more months to hear the full album. It had been a long
time since a song got me that excited for an album from a band with only one LP
to their name. It’s like an assault on the senses that you crave like a drug. A
high-energy, killer track that shoots straight to the top as contender for song
of the year. We get a bit of time to catch our breath with “100 Pills”, a more
laid-back track with echoes of ‘90s alternative rock. A sad but terrific tune. “Serpens
South” draws inspiration from the star cluster of the same name, the Serpent
constellation in astronomy. Achingly melodic, it’s a highlight of the album.
The last cut is “The Void”, another gorgeous, slower number with vocalist Kirin
Gudmundson channeling the best of ‘90s alt rock. It’s a fitting way to bring
this roller coaster ride of emotions across the finish line.
Memento Mori hits like a sonic boom. It’s manic, seductive, and takes no prisoners. It showcases a versatile band in full command of their musical gifts that integrates elements of doom, metal, psychedelic, and even prog rock into their music like seasoned veterans. Gudmundson's unique sounding vocals elevate the whole affair. Captivating and spellbinding, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t own this stellar record.
Ripple Music’s Hail the Void Bandcamp page: https://ripplemusic.bandcamp.com/album/memento-mori
Hail the Void on Bandcamp: https://hailthevoid666.bandcamp.com/
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