MASSFACE

Uneven, Unfair...

Changeable, Fitful

Russian progressive metal/hardcore sextet MASSFACE here releases their second full-length studio album, "Inequable". It's a pulverizing, pulsating monster with a mix of clean vocals (my favorites) and intense harsh vocals, creativity, post-progressive- tinged guitars, ambient and atmospheric keyboards, and a razor-sharp rhythm section in which the grinding bass tones and complex drum patterns are featured in some key moments, to good avail.

Themes

Lyrics are written in dark, somber, sometimes devastatingly graphic imagery, often referring to the powerlessness and danger of human existence in the face of merciless, crushing forces both human and systemic. These, welded together with the crushing riffs and patterns, form a menacing whole, always interpreted in germane, often unexpected ways by varying vocal textures, instrumental shifts, and changes in intensity and tone.

Economy

There's no wasted time here, no pointless wankery, no meandering passages of questionable intent. Rather we get crisp, to-the-point voices, lyrics, and instrumental backing. Get in. Get out. Move on. For me this was welcome and refreshing. Others may find it abrupt, but it seemed like it was of a piece with the intent of the album. I've been fooled before, but this is not exactly a 'concept album', yet has a golden thread throughout, a guideline if you will- savagery. The will to live and to thrive. Forces that oppose this.

Highlights

Certainly discovering this band is a highlight. The whole album is of a piece, and worthy. The outstanding rhythm section. The intermix of clean voices, and some truly inventive harmonic passages at times nearly choral. Back and forth clean and harsh- which is admittedly not my favorite- yet somehow accomplishing the sense of change of focus, change of perspective, rage, and danger.

In fact, the vocals seemed to me to be the unspoken hero here- as they comprised far more than simple singing of lyrics. These seemed to form an instrument of their own, sometimes mournful and wistful, other times menacing, or desperate, or outraged, or pleading. Sometimes the octaves were set beside sighing responses in a give-and-take exchange.

I found these captivating.

Also

There were some wondrous crunchy grinding bass lines with the powerful drumming that acted as backdrop and contrast with the full band crushing into djent-flavored riffs, or passionate passages.

To sum it up

MASSFACE has given us a thunderous, intense, dark monster of writhing intensity and a full range of tones and textures, in this new release, "Inequable". I rate this a strong 4 stars of slithering savagery- and excellent addition to any progressive music collection.