Memorial
by Russian Circles
Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
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  1. PopMatters
    Oct 25, 2013
    100
    The result of this incredible journey, Memorial, is the first landmark post-metal release since Isis’ Panopticon, Russian Circles’ greatest achievement, and unquestioningly one of 2013’s true artistic masterpieces.
  2. AllMusic
    Oct 28, 2013
    90
    An album that's not only satisfying, but one of the band's strongest works to date.
  3. Absolute Punk (Staff reviews)
    Dec 9, 2013
    85
    Memorial is arguably Russian Circles' best work to date. It's certainly debatable, but this is undeniably an staggeringly strong output for a band on their fifth release.
  5. Kerrang!
    Nov 20, 2013
    80
    The heaviest moments are breathtakingly aggressive. [26 Oct 2013, p.55]
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  6. Exclaim
    Oct 25, 2013
    80
    Russian Circles' fifth studio album has a bolder, more polarizing sound than previous efforts.
  7. The Guardian
    Oct 25, 2013
    80
    As with their previous albums, Memorial demands total immersion, but Russian Circles' sonic world is a welcoming one. Right now, few bands conjure such vital and nourishing food for the imagination.
  8. Pitchfork
    Nov 21, 2013
    78
    You don't get anything that great [as "1777"] on the rest of the album; that said, it's an emotional peak you only need to reach once on a collection like this, and the restraint on the following tracks helps with the overall thematic.
  9. The Line of Best Fit
    Oct 25, 2013
    65
    It is true then, that Russian Circles are no longer pushing back the walls of post-rock acceptability, and also true that their albums don’t bite down as hard as they used to, but it is still definitely true that they wield the ability to compose the most beautiful, thought-provoking pieces of music.

Awards & Rankings

6
#6 Best Album of 2013

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 49 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 42 out of 49
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 49
  3. Negative: 4 out of 49
  1. j7l
    Apr 17, 2014
    10
    By far the band's most daring effort to date and the result is thus far's album of the year. The lead in, Memoriam blends so perfectly withBy far the band's most daring effort to date and the result is thus far's album of the year. The lead in, Memoriam blends so perfectly with the absolute behemoth that is Deficit, which leads way to the perfectly satisfying 1777, and that's just the beginning. The remainder of the album is just as awe inspiring with the standout and beautifully crafted Ethel. The only question that remains is album after album is, how do they keep doing this?… Full Review »
  2. flippit88
    Oct 30, 2013
    9
    Russian Circles have refined and distilled the dynamic sound crafted on their previous albums and I reckon the result is great. HeavinessRussian Circles have refined and distilled the dynamic sound crafted on their previous albums and I reckon the result is great. Heaviness (particularly on Deficit) interspersed deftly with softer tracks (such as Memorial featuring Chelsea Wolfe). I love the atmosphere created by the interplay between the drums, bass and guitar.… Full Review »
  3. staubin
    Oct 29, 2013
    9
    Really everything you could want out of an instrumental post-rock/metal band. Metacritic labeling this as pop/rock is kind of anReally everything you could want out of an instrumental post-rock/metal band. Metacritic labeling this as pop/rock is kind of an understatement this is haunting music balanced with rock sensibilities.… Full Review »
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