The Mass
City of Dis

THE REVIEW

Dlen, a chord. Then tak-tak-tak-tak and a nice filthy tupa tupa kicks in, fast, basically a beautiful thing (keep in mind I have a past as a metal-kid). But then it stops, the voice comes on, distorted (not growl/scream, just distorted), then the tupatupa returns, voice, tupatupa, brumbrumbrrrrumtatata, saxophone solo. Musical schizophrenia.
The The Mass hit the ear, stimulate mind and body (like that stuff with the bull that I won't mention because tonight I feel very politically correct), and they know how to play genuine and direct without losing their minds (though sometimes you do shake your head), interweaving cerebral approaches, others more direct, but also jazz outbursts and hits that I can only define as metal (unfortunately).

The Mass have four members: guitar, bass, voice/saxophone, drums. Curious that the lineup is the same as the 'Yakuza' (I mean the instruments, not the musicians eh!). But while the saxophone in Yakuza is atmospheric, the one in The Mass is definitely more jazz (listen to the solo in La Porc), more progressive. And everything else is more jazz, more progressive too.
Rather than aiming for a wall of sound, The Mass focus on the contrast in thickness between gentler music (e.g., the bass solo at the beginning of Major Strip) and heavier music (e.g., the massive rhythm of Hex by Hex), as well as the contrast between instruments - meaning they often use a call-and-response between instruments, particularly guitar-saxophone and guitar-voice (don't miss the stadium chant in Major Strip!).

The CD, not very long (41:19), is appreciated in all its varied forms (though some might want something even more varied), showcasing a very capable band (it's recorded live!) and original, showing skill and beauty. As usual, beauty (and contrast).