Competent but unremarkable, Memento Mori fails to break any new ground or even adequately define themselves on their 1993 debut, Rhymes of Lunacy. The performances are much more than can typically be expected from a new act. The guitar playing is exceptional and former Candlemass vocalist Messiah Marcolin lives up to his considerable reputation. The material that Memento Mori has to work with isn’t up to the group’s performance standard, however. There are a few nice moments during tracks like the catchy “Lost Horizons” and “The Riddle,” but outside of these exceptional moments, Rhymes of Lunacy comes off bland and forgettable. Fans of vintage Candlemass might be the only listeners with a genuine interest in this disc, and even that small cross section of record buyers aren’t guaranteed to enjoy this release. – Jason Anderson