Year : 2010 (Escape Music Ltd Edition)
Style : Melodic Hard Rock , Melodic Heavy Metal
Country : United States
Audio : 320 kbps + all scans
Size : 127 mb
Bio:
In the beginning...In 1984, MASS released their first album, a self-titled EP produced by Jon Mathias. It was recorded at The Record Plant in New York City. The EP sold 10,000 copies in the Boston area alone, and got the attention of record companies.In 1985, the band signed with RCA and released their first major label debut, New Birth, produced by Tony Platt. The 45 single, Do You Love Me, went to Number One at one of the local Boston radio stations and hit Billboard's charts. The video made for that single was in rotation on MTV.In 1987, MASS signed with Enigma and released their third album, Take You Home, produced by John Rollo and MASS. This record sold tens of thousands in the United States as well as England, Japan, and other countries around the world.In 1988, MASS released their fourth record, Voices in the Night, on Enigma. Michael Sweet of the band Stryper was the producer. This CD sold well all over the world too. Songs such as Reach for the Sky, Turn it All Around, and Voices of the Night were available as CD singles. Songs from this CD also appeared on various compilations CD's (What are some of the compilations?). That year, MASS was nominated for Best Heavy Metal Act at the Boston Music Awards.In 2000, MASS released its fifth record titled Mass Best Ones on Fore Reel Records. They continue to have a strong following all over the United States and around the world. Mass continues to write and record powerfully impressive songs with MASS style, driving hard rock with an edge and rocking melodies.In 2001, MASS wrote, performed, and continue to kick it! They completed work on their latest demo and hope to have it released sometime in 2002.In 2002, MASS won a coveted spot at NEMO (the Boston music showcase and industry convention), completed work on their next demo, and produced two songs with Michael Sweet of Stryper!In 2007, MASS re-releases New Birth on CD through Retrospect Records. They sign a 5-year record deal with Escape Records and release a new CD titled Crack of Dawn on June 25th!
Album:
“Can my faith be gone? Only Heaven knows.” This quote from the first track of Mass’ Sea Of Black, beckons that if your faith involves the revival of the classic 80s Metal sound, you have found a friend in Mass. Mass has been producing their brand of Metal since their debut release in 1984. Sea Of Black is their sixth studio album.The quartet known as Mass hails from, where else, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. They are Louis St. August on vocals, Gene D’Itria on guitar; Michael Palumbo and Joey Vadala on bass and drums respectively. The music itself is raw and pure. The sound resembling that of a band that plays live in the studio.The production however is less than flawless; the drums sound “tin-like” and the vocals were not mixed well. Nonetheless, the greatness of the resulting music far outweighs the lackluster engineering.The vocals of St. August could be matched up note for note with such heavyweights as Don Dokken, Jon Bon Jovi, or Tom Kiefer in their prime. He has an amazing range and the ability to captivate the listener with either the fury of screams or a passionate ballad. D’Itria’s guitar work may not be the fast shredding attack of a George Lynch or a Steve Vai. Rather D’Itria likes to bring you into his realm with a classic “Grunge-esque” style of playing. He does have the ability to burst out some great solos in many of the tracks, none of which will completely blow you away. However, his talent does leave you appreciating his work.Regarding the tracks on Sea Of Black, the album does not really follow a central musical theme. There are fast songs, slow songs, hard rocking songs, melancholy songs, and soft ballads. Because of this, it is hard to label this album to a specific genre. There isn’t really one weak song on this album; however, the flow is hard to follow as you listen from start to finish.The standout tracks are able to shine though as you listen to each one. The opening song “Falling From Grace” will get you energized and ready for more. “Thru The Rain” will give you a steady head banging. “More Than A Friend” will encourage you to get a lighter out, wave it in the air and sing along. Then other tracks like “Ashes To Ashes” and “All That I Need” are both melancholy and uplifting. The best song arguably is the title track “Sea Of Black”. This is a Maiden style track with a catchy chorus that leaves feeling very satisfied that you made it through.One of the most surprising elements of Sea Of Black are the inspirational lyrics. Each song may represent a somewhat different musical style. The lyrics, however, are both uplifting and spiritual. There are several religious references, and each track contains many positive messages.The last page of the CD booklet states the following as a self description of their music; “Music composed to unite the masses and arranged to inspire the individual.” That is indeed a perfect summary of this album. Mass music has a good dose of passion and heart, combined with some heavy Rock and Metal. All of which makes a great album, and definitely worth a listen.
Line Up:
Louie St. August – Lead and Backup Vocals - See also: ex-Axes
Gene D’Itria – All Guitars and Backup Vocals - See also: ex-Axes
Michael Palumbo – Bass Guitar and Backup Vocals
Joey ‘Vee’ Vadala – Drums
Production:
Produced: Martin Kronlund & Mass
Engineered: Kenny Lewis
Mixed and Mastered: Martin Kronlund at JM Studios, Sweden
Recorded at Mixed Emotion Studios, Middleton, MA
Cover Art: Richard Jones
Tracklist:
01. Falling from Grace 04:21
02. All the Years Gone 04:34
03. The Right Side 03:45
04. Coming Home 04:22
05. Thru the Rain 05:38
06. All That I Needed 04:05
07. More than a Friend 03:08
08. Justify 04:59
09. Ashes to Ashes 05:00
10. Till We Meet Again 04:57
11. Captain Jack 01:15 instrumental
12. Sea of Black 05:36
Download links for all albums only on our blog here: http://goodmetalandhar.do.am/
