German power metallers BRAINSTORM will release a completely reworked version of their 2009 album “Memorial Roots ”, titled “Memorial Roots (Re•Rooted)” on October 14th, 2016. It includes all 15 tracks of the “Memorial Roots” sessions (besides the 11 regular album songs there were bonus tracks on the Digipak• Vinyl• and Japanese editions), which were newly mixed by Achim Köhler.

The band states: “Seven years after the original release of “Memorial Roots”, we are incredibly proud to finally heed the call of our fans and give one of our most important albums a total “makeover”.

This album holds many memories, we love these songs and are confident that the “polishing” (completely new mix) makes this new edition of “Memorial Roots” a great experience for every BRAINSTORM fan.  Many “Memorial Roots” songs are part of our Live setlist ever since.  Over the years we received a lot of fan feedback regarding this release. Many of you told us that you like the songs but overall wish the album to sound more powerful and aggressive.

For all BRAINSTORM members, being close to our fans is an integral part of what the band is about since day one. And so we are more than happy to give you what you asked for: in collaboration with our longtime engineer Achim Köhler and our label AFM Records we took on this exciting project • to make the album sound like it deserves! “Memorial Roots” was a very important time for us because it was the first release for the current line•up. We’ve toured Mexico for the first time back then, as well as many festivals in Europe and the US. “We love what we do and we do what we love. That’s why we are so proud today to give you “Memorial Roots (Re•Root ed”). This one’s for YOU… (and your neighbors)… SO PLAY IT LOUD!“

LISTEN TO A SAMPLE OF “MEMORIAL ROOTS”

Achim Köhler, who also produced the last albums, took another look at the album “Memorial Roots” and took a closer look at each single track…… The result is night and day. The difference is actually severe and reveals almost a completely new album.  I took the time to check out the original and when I received the promo to the “re-rooted” work, I was seriously impressed.  I had to turn the volume down once, because the atmosphere of the song suddenly changed and attacked my ears with some amazing sounds. The drums are fuller, the guitar sound wraps the songs in a different way, and especially Andy’s vocals which demand much more. There are bonus tracks, which are anything but sensible: songs that were created in the then session, but which only found their way to the Japan edition or were not available at all.

The new songs and remixed material makes every single song much more independent and expressive, so that “Memorial Roots (Re-Rooted)” after a few years as now fully evolved.  Rarely have I felt a remix album had anything more meaningful to share with its listeners and rarely have I had so much fun with an old disc that was reissued.  There are some amazing sounding tracks. This is an Album that really needs to be listened to using headsets. First track of interest was the opening track “Forsake What I Believed Remixed”, Intro was a little long but the song when it kicked in grabbed you and doesn’t let go. Great Tune! The track “The Conjunction of 7 Planets” was one of my personal favorites, featuring some hard rocking guitar with some beautiful changes and transitions.  Then “Cross the Line” has you head banging until “Nailed Down Dreams” grabs you and keeps you captivated by the guitar drive and tone of the lead singers voice. Each consecutive song keeps the listener engaged and “Blood still Stains” is one of many songs on this album that keeps your ears riveted to your head set. “Ahimsa” starts us head banging again. “Final Stages of Decay” rocks with a cool intro and marks the half way point of this great album. All the remaining songs from “Victim” to “Honesty” keep you completely mesmerized with the catchy hooks and melodies. Not a bad song on the album.  This has been one of my favorite albums to review. If you love good rocking music, this album is for you.

Songs:

1. Forsake What I Believed Remixed
2. Shiver
3. The Conjunction of 7 Planets
4. Cross the Line
5. Nailed Down Dreams
6. Blood still Stains
7. Ahimsa
8. The Final Stages of Decay
9. Victim
10. When no one Cares
11. Would you
12. Seems to be Perfect
13. Too Late to Deny
14. Nothing
15. Honesty
16. Forsake What I Believed

Band: “Brainstorm”

Album: “Memorial Root (Re-Rooted)”

Reviewed by:  Storm@Backstage360.com