Ελληνικά
Last Updated on 03:43 PM by Giorgos Tsekas
Genre: Thrash
Country: U.S.A.
Label: Redefining Darkness Records
Year: 2021
Black Mass are hailing from Boston, Massachusetts and they were established in 2012. In the very same year they released 2 demos and since then they have released so far another demo five years later in 2017, one EP in 2013, and besides the last effort “Feast Of The Forbidden Tree” that is their third full-length album, their 2 previous full lengths were “Ancient Scriptures” in 2015 and “Warlust” 2019. Like as not their name isn’t so original after all, as under the moniker Black Mass exist or existed in the past, nine other bands, according to Encyclopaedia Metallum (https://www.metal-archives.com/). Of course neither their music is something innovating and probably lacks of originality.
Speed freaks of this earth though don’t care if the Thrash/Speed/Heavy that there are served isn’t so authentic, if it is based on old-school extreme in the veins of Venom, early Exodus, Slayer’s Show No Mercy –era, Kill’ Em All riffs and N.W.O.B.H.M. on steroids tempos and its given with extra dose of velocity and attitude.
The Bostonians surely know how to write good songs, if not great sometimes, as they also know how to sound extreme, dangerous and primeval. You will also hear many elements that will bring in mind Possessed’s classic Seven Churches or early Celtic Frost and Motörhead. There are some mid-paced songs, such as “A.S.H.E.S.” and “They Speak in Tongues”, not everything here is based on speed, while their razor-sharp guitars as in “A Path Beyond” and “Betrayal”, the catchy ones on “Nothing Is Scared” or the simple ideas on “Dead To The World” create a multilevel final result were the time travel into 1985 isn’t a nostalgic retro act of despair, but a conscious dive-trip into the chaotic seas of pure Hate and Thrash.
The album was recorded and mixed at Mystic Valley Studio in Boston and it was mastered at Enormous Door Mastering. Special note for the marvelous artwork cover, designed by Mike Hoffman. “Feast Of The Forbidden Tree” is already out (released September 10, 2021) via Redefining Darkness Records. Buy or Die!
Black Mass is:
Brendan O’Hare – Guitar/Lead Vocals
Cristiano Azevedo – Bass/Backing Vocals
Alex Fewell – Drums
