Album review by G_Radaghast BP - October 19, 2020 for Metal Addiction

The experience of both musicians is appreciated in this debut album, where the electronic textures given by the bases, rhythms and keyboards are crossed by guitars and saxophones, achieving songs of deep introspection in a genre that is not easy at all, after success and critical acclaim. of more established acts such as those already named Portishead, Massive Attack, Tricky and Morcheeba . In fact, the most ambient pieces are a tribute to artists more closely linked to classical composition such as Craig Armstrong and underground jazz / ambient bands such as To Rococo Rot: apparently electronic songs that without prior notice mutate into compositions where organic instruments take centre stage. Thus, tracks like "MCLX", "The Generation Lost" and "Blind To Beauty" pass with brilliant display and execution.
he following “Don't Wilt Away” recall the best stage of Moby, or the environmental sections of the Scots Mogwai of the late nineties and early 2000s. “Master and Margarita” is rooted in jazz that pleasantly collides with trip hop, recalling that great St. Germain album called "Tourist" from 2000. "Mourning Song" brings us back to trip hop in the key of modern classical music, as Craig Armstrong showed us in its infinite possibilities. Stephen Good shines with more than brilliant arpeggios on electric guitar, acoustic, piano and bass that demonstrate his skills as a musician and composer. “Poppy Seed” starts with a programmed drums that give rise to a guitar melody accompanied by saxophone with quite a cinematic character. Finally, “Flight For Freedom” complies with giving a solemn, exquisite and great ending to a round album, perfect where it is seen within the margins that trip hop executed from a perspective and jazzy instrumentation allows. The notes to modern classical music, the arrangements and the successful forays of the Meridyth saxophone They transform Mere Martyr into a hidden gem in the catalog of streaming platforms ; Let's hope they delight us with more incredible quality work like this one.