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10-15 years ago, Russia was one of the best kept secrets of Heavy Metal, but not any more. Since the fall of the Soviet Union, this country has produced hundreds and hundreds of Heavy Metal bands.

Last Wail hails from Omsk and is one of those new Russian Metal acts that have a chance to make it big some day, if they keep pushing forward and putting out quality releases. Memories is the band's second album (the debut, Tales from the Endless Night, was released in 2011), and it's a well-crafted release with a bunch of catchy, folk-inspired, epic and aggressive songs that should keep your ears happy for a good while. Beside the typical Metal instruments, you can hear keys, whistles, flutes and acoustic guitars here and there, with some working better than others. Most of the album relies on fast tempos but, gladly, Last Wail wisely gives us some breaks that the record some variation. Last Wail's closest relative might be Finland's Ensiferum as far as musical style is concerned.

The most impressive single element on Memories is female vocalist Alina "Alien" Eliseeva, as her death grunts and black wails add more than a fistful of brutal edge into the songs. To be honest, I thought it was a guy at first, but I am happy to have been wrong. Many male singers could learn a thing or two from Alina about how to do the brutal vocal style this impressively.

Memories gives a little twist to Ensiferum's sound but should still appeal to those that enjoy this type of Battle/Folk/Power Metal.