The album cover perfectly encapsulates the music. It's black metal, but with an overtone of dreaminess. Rather than grim and frostbitten, this is grim and hypnotic, philosophical, and entrancing.

This album places a heavy emphasis on melody, yet it is not symphonic; everything is accomplished with, as far as I know, the standard three instruments used in most bands. I find myself lost in thought while listening to this album, and it makes me think about the deeper things in life. I would describe this album as melancholy rather than bleak, and there is an ambiguity to the feeling on many of these songs. I would use song titles, but it is hard to remember what Momento each element was on, so I will do my best.

The drummer locks in to many distinct grooves in between the blast beats, and there are ambient passages full of volume swells which lend to the atmosphere. Use of ambient sounds such as an object dropping figure into the almost experimental atmosphere as well. The music makes me feel as if I am floating along the mountainous coastline, like one of the souls (or faces) in the the top right.

The vocals are unique, being somewhere in between Joey Ramone doing his Lemmy impression on Animal Boy and the standard black metal rasp and shrieks, but also featuring whispers and more high-pitched screams (or perhaps whoops or calls would be a better way to describe them). At times, the vocals also take on an almost Gregorian quality in complement to the music. What can be said for sure is that the diversity of the vocalizations employed ensure that the album never has a dull moment. I'm not even sure if it's the same vocalist throughout.

The element of magic realism is in everything from the atmospheric musicianship, to the layered, almost demonic vocal effects toward the middle of the album, to the cover. Nothing is overly technical, and it doesn't have to be, because the songwriting masterfully takes hold of the listener's emotions and thoughts. The pacing of the tracks is excellent, ensuring a variety of fast, slow, and ambient, quiet passages. A particular high point is the xylophone-like passage; it really drives home the fantastical atmosphere and has a similar effect to the passage around 4 minutes in on the title track of Entombed's Left Hand Path; I believe it is around the end of Momento V. Another highlight is Momento VII, an instrumental which actually feels upbeat in places, yet melancholy. It features some speedy, intricate clean guitar work with a healthy dose of reverb. At one point, it almost sounds like video-game music, and this is not a criticism. The progression of melodies on it really explores the whole otherworldly motif to its fullest, and the result is an exciting listen.

This is certainly a quality piece of art, and not just a run-of-the-mill black metal album. The songs do blend together in places, but when the titles are just Momento [X], I think that was the intent of the songwriters. Overall, a great album that definitely surpassed my expectations.