MNEMIC „Sons of the System”

Music: Industrial Metalcore
Website: http://www. mnemic.com
Country: Denmark
Duration: 52:50 (11 songs)
Cool Songs: Mnightmare, The Erasing, Elongated Sporadic Burst

I think we all know Danish metallers MNEMIC. They’re not only a favorite band of the METALLICA members, but also one of the most debatable bands of today. Since their start in 1998 they have faced some serious line-up problems – the original vocalist Michal Bögballe left to put his brain to SMAXONE in 2005. He was then replaced by Tony Jelencovich (B-THONG, TRANSPORT LEAGUE) for a really short time until the current singer Guillaume Bideau (ex-SCARVE) joined the band in April 2006. “Sons of the System” is the second album featuring Bideau. It was recorded with the famous Danish producer Tue Madsen (responsible also for DARK TRANQUILLITY, THE HAUNTED or MOONSPELL for example) in the band’s own studio in Aarhus.

If this was a smart move for the band, I don’t know. I’ve been listening to this album for quite a while now, but I still kinda don’t know what to think about it. Some healthy progress since the last album is definitely visible, as on “Passenger” Bideau’s vocals were never in the right shape – sometimes fittingly hefty, but mostly just overdone. It’s never right if you let the steak broil too much and don’t keep an eye on it, and that’s exactly what happened. On “Sons of the System” Bideau shows his abilities in a completely different way. His vocals are versatile; he swiftly changes various vocal styles (not excluding brilliant true singing that I must describe as a definite highlight of the album), which reminds me of the good old days of “The Audio Injected Soul” era.

Many blame MNEMIC for being a commercial band, and “Sons of the System” will probably make this accusation even more common. It really is commercial friendly, no one can deny that now. But the fact is, however this surprises me, that MNEMIC are doing that decently. They added some more melodies, but the electronic parts aren’t exaggerated and the open chorus is there just for you to take a breath, than it changes into an eardrum attack again.

„Sons of the System” is truly some step forward for MNEMIC, at least in comparison with their last effort. But it still seems quite average and plain to me, in terms of MNEMIC being seen as an icon, which they really are. And that is a great pity, because they can do much much better.

note: 6.5/10

Tracklist

1. “Sons of the System”
2. “Diesel Uterus”
3. “Mnightmare”
4. “The Erasing”
5. “Climbing Towards Stars”
6. “March of the Tripods”
7. “Fate”
8. “Hero(in)”
9. “Elongated Sporadic Bursts”
10. “Within”
11. “Orbiting”

Line-up

Guillaume Bideau – vocals
Mircea Gabriel Eftemie – guitar, keyboards
Rune Stigart – guitar
Tomas “Obeast” Koefoed – bass guitar
Brian “Brylle” Rasmussen – drums