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