The Mass - Perfect Picture Of Wisdom And Boldness
Crucial Blast

file under different metal

Fons: Interesting band, The Mass from Oakland, California. Their second album, 'Perfect Picture Of Wisdom And Boldness' is very suitable for open minded metal fans. All kinds of genres are featured including non metal genres. Thrash metal combined with jazz and fusion parts, stoner rock with Frank Zappa like melodies. I noticed Dillinger Escape Plan influences ('Gas Pipe') but also some late eighties techno thrash bands like Anacrusis, Psychotic Waltz and Atheist. It seems like everything is possible with The Mass and it's obvious they don't take the easy way out where their music is concerned.

The Mass is capable of combining all these styles into one great sounding piece of art. The (mostly long) tracks are very well composed and numerous tempo shifts keep the music going on without being annoying. The album sounds very raw, even in the more subtle parts ('Medication On The Some Carcass'). This turns out very well for keeping the spontaneous character of the songs. Lead singer Matt Waters is not highly gifted vocalwise, but his singing style fits perfectly into the music. Besides singing he also plays the saxophone on a couple of tracks. Again there's such another different approach. On 'Cloven Head' it turns out really well, but the saxophone solo at the end of 'Ride Of The Juns' sounds quite cacophonic and over the top.

Technically the songs on the album are very well done. In almost every song The Mass comes up with a very recognizable (even catchy) theme that makes it very easy to listen to the album. In spite of the variety in the songs on 'Perfect Picture Of Wisdom And Boldness' the listener isn't bored by endless technical manoeuvring. 'Cloven Head' and 'Ride Of The Juns' are my favourite tracks, but someone else might like other tracks more. There's one critical point here, and that's Tyler Cox's somewhat sloppy drumming during some hyper speed parts ('Little Climbers Of Nifelheim'). All in all, this an excellent cd, which gets even better the more you listen to it. As I said, not every metal fan will enjoy The Mass as I do, but whoever likes a musical challenge definitely should listen to 'Perfect Picture Of Wisdom And Boldness'.

Rating: 87/100 (details)

http://www.themass.us