MEMORAIN the "super-group" formed in 2000 and founded by guitarist Ilias Papadakis have just released their newest album “Evolution” worldwide via Maple Metal Records, Toronto, Canada in August.
"Evolution" was composed, produced and recorded by Papadakis in 2011.
The All-Star line-up that performed on “Evolution” features Ilias Papadakis on guitar, Gene Hoglan (TESTAMENT, FEAR FACTORY, ex-DARK ANGEL, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD), Steve Digiorgio (SADUS, ex-DEATH, TESTAMENT), Ralph Santolla (OBITUARY, ex-DEICIDE, ICED EARTH, etc) and Chris Valagao (ZIMMERS HOLE, MECHANISM, WEST OF HELL).
The newest album also includes guest musicians such as, David Ellefson (MEGADETH), Tim "Ripper" Owens (HAIL!, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, BEYOND FEAR, ex-JUDAS PRIEST, ICED EARTH), Jeff Waters (ANNIHILATOR), Christian Wentz (FUTURES END), Marc Pattison (Futures End), Laura Christine (DREAMING DEAD) and Carlos E. Perez (ex-C:REAL).
David Ellefson recorded two songs, 'A New Era' and 'Rules Of Engagement', as well as co-wrote 'Rules Of Engagement' with Memorain guitarist Ilias Papadakis and Tim "Ripper" Owens. On top of that, Tim "Ripper" Owens recorded vocals on 'Rules Of Engagement' and Laura Christine also contributed a solo on the song 'Destiny Found'.
Jeff Waters recorded the main guitar solo on 'A New Era', while Carlos E. Perez laid down a guitar solo for 'Methods Of The Past', and both Christian Wentz and Marc Pattison contributed guitar solos on 'Scratching The Surface'.
"Evolution" Track By Track Commentary by guitarist Ilias Papadakis:
1. Nations On Fire
The lead off track from the album: the song that catches your attention, sparks your interest in the album, and gets you headbanging! “Nations On Fire” is for me the "Evolution" album. It is by far the best song for me personally! The style of the song is a mix of old school and new school Thrash Metal. I wanted for many years to create something like this, and I am very pleased with the result! I believe for a song like this there is only one subject for the lyrics, and that is the “end of days”!!
2. Where Hate Lies
“Where Hate Lies” is one more song that the lyrics deal with the “end of days”. This song is a classic Thrash/speed metal song. Very aggressive riffs and high- speed drums! This song was actually a big challenge for me, because when I composed it back then, I didn't know who would be the second guitarist to share the solos, so I had to do all the solos for the song. It was a really nice challenge for me, and I am very happy with the result!
3. The Break
This song is one of the first that I composed for the album, and I believe one of the songs that can easily represent the style of the whole album. Strong and powerful riffs in a fast tempo, and a melodic chorus that sticks in your head for weeks! I really love the drums on that song. Gene Hoglan really took the song to a new level, and gave another dimension to the song, with the way that his drums are grooving! The subject of the lyrics is about one of my favorite TV shows, "Prison Break".
4. Circle
The arrangement and the structure of this song is really quite simple. I thought that a song that deals with War must be like this, really raw and strong. It is an energetic song that a guitarist always enjoys playing 'live', but this was only my first thought when I first heard the demo version. Everything had changed after we recorded the song. Steve DiGiorgio recorded some amazing bass lines here! The bass lines give a different feeling to the song; from a simple speed metal song, it turned out to be a highly technical speed metal song.
5. Misery
Actually this song was composed like a puzzle, with riffs that I thought were leftovers, and it turned out as the biggest surprise for me because in the beginning I didn't have much faith in it. I am very happy that I was wrong, and "Misery" turned out to be a really good song! The best part of the song for me is the second riff, before the first verse, and Steve DiGiorgio hammered down some great bass lines with the wah pedal!!
6. Rules Of Engagement
There are no words to describe that song! If someone were to tell me 10 years ago that I would have the chance to compose a song with David Ellefson and Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens, my answer would be "are you crazy? These things happen only in a dream”! It was something more than amazing, and I feel extremely lucky that I had the chance to work and compose with David and Tim. Both of them are amazing musicians and guys!! “Rules Of Engagement” was also the first song that Ralph Santolla recorded for this album. Ralph's technique is so unique; from the first note you can tell that it is him!
7. Death Shop
”Death Shop” is an awesome track! It is for sure a speed/thrash metal song, but there are some power metal elements hidden in the structure of the song, and this has given a really weird, but aggressive feeling to me when I perform it 'live'. In this song, I believe you can see how great a singer Chris Valagao is! Chris is amazing and gives a new dimension with his voice to the whole album!!
8. Destiny Found
One more song in which the inspiration came from a TV Show! I am sure from the title you can easily tell from which TV show it is! Recording that song was something really cool for me and I felt for some reason very relaxed and free! Maybe because I composed that song after a TV series had come to a final conclusion, and because it was my favorite show, I felt a bit free after six years of waiting to see what would happen in the end! The arrangement and the structure of the song is different from the style that I am following when I am composing a song. Also Laura Christine did a perfect job on the first main solo and it was really great that I had the chance to work with her!
9. Power Out
This song is dealing with very sensitive subject matter for me! I composed the song after a good friend of mine died from a long illness, and I was trying to find a way to express my feelings, because words were not strong enough! Gene Hoglan's drums on that song have so many different techniques. I believe Gene Hoglan is one of the best metal drummers in the world, and I feel extremely lucky that I had the chance to create this album with him!!
10. A New Era
The only instrumental song on the album! A very fast song with the most aggressive riffs that I have ever composed! In this song, the main solo was recorded by Jeff Waters. Jeff is one of my biggest influences as a guitarist and it was a really huge honor for me to work with him. The bass was recorded by David Ellefson. Working with David is always a big pleasure. I really love his style and his sound; it is so unique and powerful! Also "A New Era" is the theme song for the Metal TV Show, “TV War”, a show that is sponsored by the Greek Metal Hammer on MAD TV.
11. Scratching The Surface (5th Hour)
This is the only song on the album that I haven't composed, not even a note! The music was composed by Steve DiGiorgio, and the lyrics by Chris Valagao. It was really great for me working on that song, and I had an awesome time recording it! The solos were recorded by Christian Wentz and Mark Pattisson from Future's End! These guys are really talented guitarists!
12. Methods Of The Past
This song is about a guy that is trying to make a deal with the devil! He sells his soul in exchange for money and power, but what usually happens in these stories, the devil cheats him, and the guy is getting nothing in return for his soul! “Methods Of The Past” is one of the songs on the album with the most powerful groove, and killer rhythm parts!
