Memoriam are from Birmingham, UK and its members have played or are playing in respectable number of bands such as Bolt Thrower, Benediction, English Dogs, Annihilator, Sacrilege to name just a few. According to former Bolt Thrower singer Karl Willetts who resumed vocal duties in this band, Memoriam was formed to tribute late Bolt Thrower drummer Martin Kearns and this is their fifth full length opus and a brand new one containing 8 songs. Memoriam plays old school UK death metal, not unlike Benediction and most certainly Bolt Thrower, with Memoriam also having mainly war and apocalyptic battle lyrics and song themes. This is the case with groove of ‘Never Forget, Never Again(6 Million Dead)’, but also there are faster, almost d-beat songs like excellent ‘Total War’. Karl Willets sings and growls better than many of his younger counterparts and guy’s work ethics are inspiring, but the songwriting is what makes this album superb. Songs like ‘I Am The Enemy’, ‘All Is Lost’ or the title song ‘Rise To Power’ are a lesson in old school British death metal like it was played in glory days and shows that this scene is alive, well and ready for war!

8,5/10