ALBUM REVIEW: Black Feathers On Their Graves – Master Massive

Following on from the release of The Pendulum in 2015, MASTER MASSIVE have returned with a three track record Black Feathers On Their Graves. It is billed as a continuation of the previous record, only with the lyrical themes being less fantasy based and more true to life according to the band themselves.

While many will be wondering how MASTER MASSIVE have made an album out of three songs rather than an EP, the answer lies in the runtimes of the songs; beginning with the title track, which is the longest of the three at a staggering 18 minutes alone. The intro is very slow and gradual as you get the nostalgia of classic heavy metal flowing through, and that is heightened when the vocals of Marcus Karlsson are added into the mix. Certainly, for the first few minutes the title track sounds very much like any other classic heavy metal track, but gradually things begin to change as the song progresses. There is a huge instrumental section which has a more haunting feel to it as the bass and organ combine to give an eerie sound, building up the tension ever so slowly. Just when you think you know what to expect from the track things change again and leaves you guessing from start to finish.

Up next is Pictures In The Sand, which has a runtime of a mere 11 minutes compared to the opener. Much like the first track, there is a gradual intro with the riffs easing you into it, but it doesn’t take too long for the rest of the elements to enter the fray and carry the song forward. The tempo is much slower in this track as far as the vocals are concerned, but during the breaks the speed of the guitars definitely picks up quickly. It doesn’t stay slow for too long though, halfway through the song there is a complete change in direction as it builds up to the final stages of the track.

Bringing proceedings to an end is Castles In The Air – the shortest of the trio at four minutes. The opening few seconds give you a brief intro before Marcus comes in with the vocals, and the overall tempo really picks up at a good headbanging speed. There’s nothing too drastic in this track; the sound stays consistent throughout and is certainly the one track that is a true throwback to the 80s heavy metal sound, and wraps the album up very well.

As an album it is underwhelming – the fact there are only three tracks on the record does leave you wanting more, and while the longer tracks do change their sound at different points to keep you on your toes it still falls short. The song times as well are one of the negatives of the record. It showcases the band and the individuals that they can do different styles and sounds, but it would be better to hear those changes in different songs rather than one long track where it doesn’t stand out as much.

MASTER MASSIVE do show signs of promise and it will be interesting to see what the future holds for them, but this record is perhaps not the finest example of their work.

Rating: 6/10

Black Feathers On Their Graves is out now via ViciSolum Productions.

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