Band : Mourning Caress

Album Title : Inner Exile

Label : Restrain Records

Distribution : Bertus

Release date : 22/02/2008

Review : CD

Overall impression : Melodic death metal out of this world! Reserve : Should they let us wait so long?

Metal Hammer – “From this band we will (and want to) hear more” 6/7 points

The quintet, Mourning Caress , hails from Münster Germany . Their album, Inner Exile , come a mere six years after their debut release, Imbalance . Arguably there could be some good reasons to forgive them for this (as true fans)…BUT the bottom line is that it was worth the wait in gold.

I am in Jordan … once again. I normally get a lot of inspiration for writing reviews while traveling. This morning I had my own “ Mo( u) rning caress”. Before you apply your wicked mind, let me explain. I woke up in Petra , the city of stone (famous for a scene out of the Indiana Jones movie, Temple of doom). In Jordan it's winter, but like in Europe they are experiencing spring weather at the moment (I forgot to mention that they told me in Sweden last week that they are experiencing the warmest winter in 250 years!!!!!!!!). So this morning I took a book called THE SECRET (Rhonda Byrne), upon recommendation by one of my best friends (ISA-ness), and spent a blissful half hour in the presence of the rocks, sunrise (ok I must admit I was a bit too late for that part), semi-spring temperatures and THE BOOK. It was quite a spiritual experience and now at least I can relay to you that THE SECRET is the law of attraction . I know it sounds rather simple but it's really such a powerful thought. For more on that please refer to the book….don't wait 6 years; )

So, unfortunately I have to disappoint you by telling you that this album is my Virgin Mourning Caress album. I actually switched on this new album on our way back from a trip to Wadi -Rum (dessert) and was really pleasantly surprised by what I heard. I am glad to report that I am favorably impressed. Especially with the songs: “ Corroded by fea r” and “ Nothing is Lost ”. I simply love Gerrit Mohr's (vocalist) voice which has a pleading urgency to it. Or is that an emo voice? I just want to listen to the songs over and over again. The guitars are super-melodic, and the melody really takes me with it...

They have an expression here in Jordan … Inshallah …literally it means “if it is god's will”. It's almost part of saying goodbye; they end every conversation with “ Inshallah ”. It's not due to any particular state of emergency. Jordan , as you know probably, is one of the “safest” countries in the Middle East .

So as a conclusion I would really encourage the band to issue albums more regularly, Inshallah !

82/100

Karin.

 PS. If you can not get a hold of this album it's because there is some “problems” with the distribution set up (as per the band's self-entitled website). They recommend that you order the album at the following dealers of faith: E.M.P; Amazon; or Nuclear Blast. You can also order from their online shop where there is some additional merchandise available.