RSS Feed


BLACK MASS
Fear At The Forbidden Tree

Redefining Darkness (2021)
Rating: 8/10

With killer cover art and generic moniker, Boston thrashers Black Mass returns with their third opus, again speed dialling their way through a selection of harsh, scathing compositions.

With each studio outing they’ve improved and so with this new slab the trio really finds its feet as a forceful, aggressive and abrasive act able to go toe to toe with the best.

After a suspenseful introduction, ‘Unholy Libations’ begins its seething tirade, an angst-ridden, oil-coated speedball packed with tight percussion and slaying axework. Black Mass uses its speed to submit its victims; no frills, just volatile strikes bristling with stinging fury and snappy vocal shouts.

It’s clear from the start that Black Mass doesn’t come up for air, existing instead within a framework of tight yet lethal dynamics blending stark thrash potency with occasional black / thrash spikiness. Flashes of Motörhead, Tank, and the likes flit against punky aesthetics, but for the most part it’s leathery thrash, churned out with hostility and attitude.

‘Dead To The World’ fits somewhere between raucous Venom, vicious Sodom and early Evile when thrash was making a comeback and exhibited vigour. Meanwhile, ‘Nothing Is Sacred’ dives into old Slayer, where the percussion of Alex Fewell drives it forward with immense precision and power to the heat of Brendan O’Hare’s volatile axe. But let’s stand ‘neath that tree of knowledge to appreciate the scathing bass lines of Cristiano Azevedo who pummels with sadistic joy throughout.

You can pick any track and be crushed by the blazing speed. ‘A.S.H.E.S’ initially suggests some respite from the haste as percussion slams in timely manner to the clanking bass, but it’s not long before the pace quickens to a devastating thrash assault.

Elsewhere, ‘They Speak In Tongues’ chugs with menace, scowling from its pensive rhythm and muscular strides, while ‘Betrayal’ just goes straight for the jugular. There’s no messing here, the feeding frenzy is quick and ravenous, leaving us slain and boneless before closer ‘Blood Ritual’ delivers the final snap – a fast paced shark attack of rattling bass, hyper drum blasts and toxic guitar rips. Indeed, Black Mass delivers a sneering, sniping thrash barrage that breathes new life into a scene getting bogged down by generic imitation.

Strangely, the cover art doesn’t necessarily fit the attack it unleashes; I’m reminded of boggy mid-80s sword ‘n’ sorcery metal when I see murderous barbarians and the like. But as soon as you stand beneath that tree and experience the scorching aggression of the music bestowed, you too shall feel the same yet sudden pain felt by that victim whose head is now held in the bloody hands of his slayer.

Brace yourself for aural decapitation.

Neil Arnold

<< Back to Album & EP Reviews



Related Posts via Categories
Share