Mazzey
Reincarnation
8 Track
Album
Released
31st December 2014
Mazzey – Montoursville, PA
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/mazzeyband
Recorded at Capcomia Studios
Genre: Heavy Thrash Metal
Biography:
“Mazzey originally started as Genocide
in September 1994, then changed their name to Denied Death in October the same
year and finally settling on Mazzey
in November 1994. Darkj (formerly called Js. in the 90's era of Mazzey) and Gecko are the original
members of the band. Mazzey back
then recorded several demo tapes as a garage band duo, improvising the majority
of their material. Mazzey went on
hiatus at various points throughout the 1990's, whereas Darkj would create side
projects with Matt Dunkleberger, including projects such as Hollow, Wicked
Sandbox, Empty and Jinx. All of Darkj's projects have been documented on
cassette tapes.
Gecko and Darkj
Around
early 2001, they all went their separate ways and got out of making music...
Gecko started driving truck for a living, Matt sold his guitar equipment and
Darkj sold his drums and started a family. A few years later, in 2004, Darkj
wanted to create new music, so then he started Frozen Mist.
Twenty
years after Mazzey originally
formed, they have now reformed and the writing style as expected, has been
completely changed to a more structured format, thanks to Darkj's creativity.
The reforming was a mutual concept between Darkj and Gecko, as Darkj has been
wanting to reform for the past few years, and 2014 just seemed to be the right
time!”
One drop of Blood
Totally
amaze balls how something can go from Pagan/Celtic sounding as in Frozen Mist
to Mazzey a heavy thrash assault
(with a difference) but Darkj has done it. This track is again even more
diverse from thrash and holds a more ‘spacy’ feel to it.
Reincarnation
This
track gets down to business and although it does contain certain thrash
elements not totally thrash as there within its thundering core I can hear an
element of black metal, punk, and a jagged melodic beam of light that sparks
some dark emotion, although I feel people will hear something different within
its gigantic structure, no doubt about it.
No Sympathy
Simply
holds some razor sharp riffs and powerful rhythms again with a harsh but clean
vocal edge that dominates through an unrestrained beat that unleashes its own
savagery.
Hieroglyphics Ancient II
Is
a beautiful amble up the fretboard amid a power hungry rhythm that slices
through the audial with a malevolent strut emulating a dark and foreboding edginess?
Fearless
Strikes
out with unforgiving riffs amid thunderously virulent lashes not to mention the
resourceful vocal ensemble that gives it a twist of malice.
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“It is an album that once you get into there
is no turning back and you have to just go along with the flow. On occasions it doesn’t flow - it seriously
coagulates and festers, but this is all part of Mazzey’s extreme driving force
that is mixed in with some pure and unadulterated blissful moments!”
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Smell the Rot
Unflinching
and savage with thunderous riffs edges their way out of the speakers and swamps
the audial with a tenacious vibe of imagination. It struts and swaggers under
its own weight, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake!
Fuck the Haters
This
track is slower than the others but none the less gets the message across that
it is fuel-injected and full of hatred as its ravenous tones emerge proud and
loud.
6 minutes 17 seconds of scariness!
DOA
Closing
the album this track again offers a respite from the heaviness that lies within
its beastly core, holding beautiful melodic tones that are evenly placed and
deftly carved in stone! Its fluid flirtation is quickly propelled into a maze
of wondrous textures that are feistily brought to justice.
Summary:
So
very different and deviously diverse! I only caught glimpses of ‘thrashiness’
and not at all what I expected. Definitely not an all-out thrash album, but a
more thoughtful album with heavy elements.
The
vocals are heartfelt and wiry, some could even say harsh and unforgiving but again
I feel not thrash in delivery! At least not the usual thrash we
have all grown to recognise but the music says otherwise and opts for a
thrashtastic melee of rigorous inspiration!
It
is an album that once you get into there is no turning back and you have to just
go along with the flow. On occasions it
doesn’t flow - it seriously coagulates and festers, but this is all part of Mazzey’s extreme driving force that is mixed in with some pure and unadulterated blissful
moments.
Darkj
is certainly an all-rounder and has produced some amazing music to date opting
to experiment with various sounds and not surprising as this guy not only does
vocals but plays drums, rhythm and acoustic guitar as well as synth!! Glazed with strong and richly vibrant riffs it
is an unforgiving and foreboding adventure that can take the listeners anywhere they want to go!
8.5/10
Track List:
One drop
of Blood
Reincarnation
No Sympathy
Hieroglyphics
Ancient II
Fearless
Smell the
Rot
Fuck the
Haters
DOA
Members:
Darkj
- Lead Vocals, Drums, Rhythm & Acoustic Guitars, Synths
Gecko
- Backing Vocals
Matt
- Backing Vocals
Richard
- Lead Guitar
Nate
- Bass
