ALBUM REVIEW: 4 – Grand Massive

The hard rock outfit GRAND MASSIVE, from Bavaria are putting out their second full-length release on a mainstream label, titled simply 4. Unfortunately, though, this record proves as unimaginative as its name.

GRAND MASSIVE‘s 4 is a frustrating listen. Beginning to end, it feels like there were lots of missed opportunities for this band to take their sound further than they did, and push themselves into territory which was more than the flat, generic sound we have on this record.

Devourer of Time is described in the band’s notes as “the fastest song in the band’s history” – a fact which seems confusing since this song is neither fast nor stands out in any way. The song is far too long for how repetitive its structure is, and the guitar solo falls flat atop a riff which, yes, is fat and heavy, but has absolutely nothing to underpin it or make it evolve throughout the song.

Revolution Waltz is bordering on offensive when it comes to how generic the lyrical content gets. At no point is it made clear what this revolution is for or against, and the music is, yup, pretty boring and repetitive. The feel of the song actually ends up sounding quite tired instead of full of rebellious energy, and the hook does not a chorus make (just a repetition of the words “revolution waltz” again and again). The breakdown is bland and predictable, with no change in tone the whole way through the song. It’s just bad. Also, it’s in 4/4.

My Path begins promisingly, perhaps in part because it sounds almost entirely different to everything else on the album. This is more than slightly indebted to Dirk from WARPATH‘s guest vocals, a much stronger and deeper growl which brings the band in to CLUTCH-esque territory and actually works pretty well with the groove for a while. The ending of this song calls to mind the cheesier elements of BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, something which is not necessarily a bad thing and which the band should perhaps consider pursuing. 

With lyrics that sound like the scribblings of a pissed-off edgy fourteen-year-old in the back of his maths book, and riffs which are big, but get old well before the songs are up, 4 by GRAND MASSIVE really isn’t worth your time. 

Rating: 3/10

4 is out now via Metalville Records.

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