Genre: Grindcore/Death Metal/Crossover
Country: Austria
Label: MDD Records/Alive Distribution
Year: 2022
Austrian Death/Grindcore four piece of Mastic Scum return nine years after their last full length effort entitled ‘C T R L’ (December 2013) -except the 2017’s ‘Defy’ EP- celebrating their 30th anniversary since their establish (1992 in Salzburg) with a very special way. Mastic Scum line-up circa 2022 features the founding duo (and brothers) Harry Gandler (on guitars) and Man Gandler (on drums) as well as vocalist Maggo Wenzel (he has returned to Mastic Scum since 2008) and new bassist Pati Jay who makes his recording debut with the band. This is their 6th studio album and wisely they flourish their guitar based Death/Grindcore sound with frenetic solos, heavy riffs, modern groove and technical parts. ‘Icon’ was recorded in Grindlab Studio (in Vienna), and was produced, mixed and mastered in Metalforge Studio by Mike Kronstorfer and Harry Gandler. When a band member associates with the production on any album it helps the producer to designate all the elements and traits or even the virtues the band has. Probably the highlight of ‘Icon’ besides the excellent work in guitars is the perfect match of the ferocity of Brutal Death parts and the Sepultura-like ‘Chaos A.D.’-era groove aura the songs oozes. The final result is a killer indeed! Check also: ‘Digital Dementia,’ ‘Twice the Pain,’ ‘Room 23,’ ‘ Create and Destroy’ and ‘Slavebreed’.