Memento � Beginnings
The Hobo Review

Memento � Beginnings
Label: Columbia
Buzz or Hype?: Buzz
Rating:

After thrashing around the Los Angeles rock scene for a few years, Memento has managed to land themselves a record deal with Columbia Records (Sony Music), and soon after score a B-stage gig on Ozzfest 2003.

The band begun with Justin Cotta (vocals), an aspiring Australian musician brought up on a healthy rock diet of AC/DC, and Steve (drums) an orange county jazz musician turned rocker, both united by bands like Alice In Chains and Tool. Justin and Steve scouted the Australian east coast to fill the remaining spots in the band, and after finding Space (guitars) and Lats (bass), headed up to Los Angeles to form a new rock element.

Memento's new album Beginnings was produced by Toby Wright (Alice In Chains, Korn) and mixed by Brendan O'Brien (Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers). The album refuses to conform to any single generic construct. Steve commented "I've never liked linear records with one lyric� or played in the same key or same tempo from start to finish", and that seems to have heavily influenced the direction of the album.

Justin Cotta's voice is a power to be reckoned with, at times raw and threatening, others smooth, melodic and beautiful. He seems to be influenced by Maynard's (Tool) vocal style, but refuses to rip-off recognizable melody changes. Justin's diverse range is impressive; something lacking in most numetal acts. The tracks generally head towards five minutes apiece. Varied guitar solos can be found throughout the album, actually managing to compliment each track.

Nothing Sacred, the first single off the album, features some mandatory numetal riffing, but is also fitted with several interesting riff-tails and licks. Justin takes on a more aggressive tone for the most part, but still manages to pull off great harmonies in the chorus. Abyss however is more of a progressive metal track, with dark semi-quasaic undertones, complimented by eerie programming.

The numetal undercurrent is repeated again in the track Coming. The songs Beginnings, Saviour and Blister act as softer rock tracks, echoing AIC in effect. Justin's voice changes dramatically in Below and Shell, where he is able to apply a harder edge to tracks styled similarly as Beginnings.

Memento has worked hard to create a unique voice separate from stock-standard MTV darlings, managing to inject a higher level of passion into their work through competent guitaring and a personal and emotive vocalist.

Memento's Beginning is definitely not an expendable, repetitive, linear album, but rather takes us through Justin's highs and lows, aggression and depression, successfully creating a multi-faceted new age rock album worthy of a second glance. With a little more development, Memento has the potential to accelerate the stale boundaries of numetal and give some kind of hope for its future.

Listen to samples and Purchase this CD online

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