Morlas Memoria – Adieu

Morlas Memoria
Adieu
Out: February 6^th, 2025
Playing time: 53:50

The Symphonic Metal band Morlas Memoria from the Saxon state capital of Dresden (Germany) was founded in spring 2011 by siblings Leandra and Theo Johne, at that time still under the name Morlas Enigma. The band was renamed in in 2013. In addition to Leandra and Theo, drummer Samuel Clauß and bassist Sebastian Leibe are still on board. Apart from that, the Encyclopaedia Metallum shows very few line-up changes. An impressive stability. After the first demo in 2012, two more albums were released (‘Follow the Wind’ – 2014 and ‘Mine of Pictures’ – 2017). After that, apart from a few singles, not too much happened. So, after eight years of waiting, you could call ‘Adieu’ a comeback.

‘Lost Expedition’ kicks off immediately with heavy guitar riffs and a powerful bass. Symphonic elements set in. Then the bell-clear soprano of front woman Leandra Johne can be heard, suggesting a classical vocal training. Also, very cleanly celebrated in the very high pitches. After the mid-tempo introduction, the Saxons increase the heaviness of ‘Reckless Game’, but without increasing the tempo significantly. Although, that’s not quite true, the guitar hooks are played a little faster. The same goes for the guitar solo shortly before the end. In ‘The Unknown’ you can hear the tempo increase. The guitars gallop. But only until the calm soprano joins in. Here you can also enjoy Leandra with her flute. Towards the end, the guitars seem a little hectic. ‘The March’ starts with calm, rhythmic drums and keyboards. Later, a cello and more strings can be heard. These initially give the song a certain oriental flair. When the guitars and the driving drums kick in, the calm is over, and it becomes slightly thrashy. Theo Johne’s growls form a contrast to his sister’s soprano. ‘Nordwand’ is introduced by beautiful guitar melodies. The sound is subtly reduced during Leandra’s vocals. In between there is the use of double bass and hard riffs. ‘An meine Witwe’ is a contemplative, instrumental ballad in which the synth strings clearly dominate. ‘Das Klirren der Tränen’ is much harder again. Leandra sings in her mother tongue, in the highest notes. The deeper voice of Theo Johne can be heard discreetly. At the beginning of ‘Brothers’ there is a quiet electric piano passage, which is underpinned by strings and later by guitar riffs. Then the guitars pick up a little at times. But, as has often been the case before, things calm down during the vocals. ‘Radium’ is also dominated by hard and fast guitar riffs and melodies, at least in the instrumental section.  ‘Der letzte Gruß’ is the next German-language song. It starts as a ballad, but then the riffs bang and the drums kick in. Once again Theo can be heard with somewhat harsher vocals. In ‘Top Of The World’, epic choruses form a contrast to the heavy riffs in places. The soprano is also accompanied by riffs and double bass inserts from time to time. During the final song ‘Adieu’, I initially thought I was listening to a Christmas carol. And this folk song-like farewell somehow doesn’t really fit in with the other songs. Polyphonic vocals can be heard.

For the most part, this is a typical but good Symphonic Metal album. However, it lacks a few rough edges. Leandra Johnes’ soprano is outstanding but seems a little too well-behaved. For the most part, the heaviness of the songs is toned down a little. And her brother Theo doesn’t show off his scream enough for my taste. All in all, however, the positive impression prevails. Only the title track makes me wonder a little. I hope that the band doesn’t actually say goodbye here, because that would be a great pity.

Morlas Memoria – Lost Expedition: https://youtu.be/tTE-nb6SkZw?si=y5cAPdppB9dBgv6_

Lineup:

Leandra Johne – Vocals, Flute
Theo Johne – Guitar, Screaming
Maximilian Ufer – Guitar
Sebastian Leibe – Bass
Oliver Kunze – Keyboards
Samuel Clauß – Drums

Track list:

• Lost Expedition
• Reckless Game
• The Unknown
• The March
• Nordwand
• An meine Witwe
• Das Klirren der Tränen
• Brothers
• Radium
• Der letzte Gruß
• Top Of The World
• Adieu