### Brainstorm: Memorial roots

#### 10/12/09 || Euthanatos

Brainstorm’s “best of” compilation is called “Just Highs No Lows”. That’s a pretty good name for the band, as it’s inherently true; Brainstorm, in my mind, do not have a single bad album in their discography. Naturally, some are more appealing, but on the whole, quality has been surprisingly steady on Brainstorm albums. That’s very impressive, if you ask me.

Brainstorm has all the right elements, really; they have a perfect vocalist, Andy B. Franck, who not only sings majestically, and seems to be improving with age, but also was one of the most pleasant individuals I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing. The band also features some killer instrumentalists, and have taken a turn to a heavier side of power metal in recent years. In short, they do all the right things.

So why does this album make my cock limp? There is no sign of an erection, none. That saddens me, because I actually like Brainstorm, and they haven’t done anything different on this album, so what gives? Maybe that’s it. They’ve simply stuck to their comfort zone, and released an album that is nothing beyond average.

That’s not to say there aren’t some catchy songs here, where Andy’s vocals can make some kickass choruses that’ll stick to your brain like dry cum on your pubes, such as “Cross the Line”.

On the whole, though, I come out of listening to “Memorial Roots” about the same way as I was coming in. Nothing changed, I am not moved or altered in any way. Is that asking too much from bands? A profoundly moving experience every time? Perhaps it is, but in a world where bands are always whining they’re not selling enough (or at all) because of Internet piracy, I often beg to differ. If you release quality shit, they will come, and they’ll fucking buy it. There’s just too much sub-par crap out there right now, and what’s the harm in listening to it before you buy it? The harm is that we’ll figure out your album is shit and won’t get it after all, will we?

Anyway, “Memorial Roots” also features a much tamer Brainstorm, the heavier side of “Downburst” and particularly “Liquid Monster” seems to have gone down the drain somewhere. Maybe these guys stopped drinking, I don’t know, people do strange shit. All I know is that this sounds like watered down power metal to me, and that’s not cool. If I want watered down power metal, I’ll listen to Axel Rudi Pell, thank you very much.

I always expect high things from Andy and his troupe, whether it be Brainstorm or Symphorce, and neither band has impressed me as of late. That pisses me off, but such is life, you win some, you lose some, it’s all a game to me. dum dum dum dum.

The cover: Badass totem, knight on the background, win. Brainstorm always does take great care with its artwork, this time it’s no different. Now do the same with your music.

- Information
- Released: 2009
- Label: AFM
- Website: www.truemetal.org/brainstorm
- Band
- Andy B. Franck: vocals
- Torsten Ihlenfeld: guitars, backing vocals
- Milan Loncaric: guitars, backing vocals
- Antonio Ieva: bass
- Dieter Bernert: drums

- Tracklist
- 01. Forsake What I Believed
- 02. Shiver
- 03. The Conjunction of 7 Planets
- 04. Cross the Line
- 05. Nailed Down Dreams
- 06.Blood Still Stains
- 07. Ahimsa
- 08. The Final Stages of Decay
- 09. Victim
- 10. When No One Cares
- 11. Would You