Mem//brane: S/T 12"

Mem//brane: S/T 12” (Phobia Records) Phobia Records brings us the full-length debut from this crust / stench band from the Pacific Northwest. Mem//brane’s take on crust is straightforward and over-the-plate, and when you combine that with the clear recording and precise execution on this full-length, a casual listener might be apt to dismiss this as generic. However, when you give Mem//brane your attention, you hear what a great band they are. The playing here is tight but agile, moving between several rhythms, from a galloping charge to the churning, chugging stench rhythm that’s a huge part of so many of my favorite bands in this style, from Amebix right through to Rigorous Institution. The riffs are strong, the rhythm section is thick and bruising, and the leads do a great job of bringing in additional melody and texture. The vocals are deep, hoarse, and powerful, and while it sounds like they’re bellowing forth from the depths of hell, I can’t help but wish they were a little more articulate. You’d be hard-pressed to identify a single word of lyrics in most of these songs, and while the vocals sound cool, it would also be cool to have a big chorus or two I could shout along with. I’d love to hear what Mem//brane would sound like if they took some more daring choices with their songwriting. They are talented players and they lay down a spot-on heavy crust vibe here, but a couple of big choruses or an unexpected-but-exciting stylistic detour could propel this from really good to truly outstanding. In the meantime, though, if you like this style of crunchy metallic crust—particularly when it has clear, powerful production—Mem//brane’s debut will scratch the hell out of that itch.