New Jersey band Monument of a Memory have a sound beyond their years. With a vocalist only 18 years old, they are channeling bands that have been around since I was much younger than that. The band's reported influences are varied, reaching from the heaviness of The Black Dahlia Murder to poppier acts like Miss May I. Despite this being only their second EP, the band has already played alongside such acts as The Devil Wears Prada, Battlecross, and Motionless In White. Furthermore, the band recorded and mixed all of the music in guitarist Kevin Chapilliquen’s home studio.
This last point I feel is an important one. Had Catharsis recieved the full polish and shine of a big studio, I don't think it would possess the same charm. In fact, the epic sing-alongs on tracks like "Thanatophobic" and "Departure" would sound like just another blob in the modern metal scene. Instead, their raw imperfections lend a certain earnesty and credibility that allow these old tricks to make the same impact they did in the 90's and early 00's.
But enough about production. Clean or rugged, none of that means anything without good songwriting. Fortunately, Monument of a Memory possess plenty skills in this area as well. "Affliction" rips thoroughly with rapid, hooky guitarwork straight out of As I Lay Dying. The harsh vocals are intense, traveling the range from your typical metalcore bark to a blackened screech. When he hits the latter just right, my blood boils, and the death metal influence becomes clear. I am extremely impressed in all of these young musicians. They play with the skills of a veteran band.
Catharsis also showcases the band's more marketable side with "Holdfast;" a tune that wears the band's fandom of Parkway Drive on its sleeve. I am not a huge fan of them, but this track represents most of the elements that allow me to appreciate any one of their songs. The guitar hook sticks in your ear, the melodies encourage feelings of hope, and the heavier parts still allow for plenty of head-banging. I have been singing along to this one since just the second listen.
Ultimately, Catharsis is an excellent EP from a band that can only improve with time. I suppose it makes sense that such young men would create such a solid metalcore effort: that youthful angst has always been a necessary element. While there is some fumbling here and there regarding transitions within songs ("Heaven is a Place..." in particular has some great parts, but their melding comes off as a bit sloppy), this is mild and to be expected from a developing group. I highly encourage picking this up and hitting that follow button so you can be the first to hear a debut LP, whenever that happens.