ALBUM REVIEW: The Mesmerist – Mask of Judas
With the UK’s progressive metal scene flourishing, to stand out in the rather packed crowd, you have to have something special. Aiming to shake the scene to its very core, MASK OF JUDAS arrive with their long-awaited debut full length record; The Mesmerist. With the bar already set at a mighty height, do MASK OF JUDAS have what it takes to cement their place in the UK progressive scene?
It’s no secret that MASK OF JUDAS are a highly skilled and technical band and right from the off, The Mesmerist demonstrates their technical prowess in the highest order. Opening track Mesmerist begins proceedings with a captivatingly catchy mid-tempo swing through the bends of the guitars before working up the gears through a barrage of shredding riffs and Jo Challen‘s impressive growls. That, and throw in a equally impressive solo from Sam Bell, and MASK OF JUDAS have made one hell of a first impression.
From there, The Mesmerist really comes into its own and displays the sheer dynamics to the band’s sound. Human’s thick bass tones from George Bell acts as the backbone to the track whilst intricate flurries from the guitars add a sense of technical polish that intertwine remarkably well to Challen‘s excellent range of guttural growls and soaring cleans. Similarly, The Conspirator demonstrates this thanks to the snappy tempo changes and satisfying hooks. From sheer unrelenting speed to soaring passages that push the clean vocals to the forefront, the band ebb and flow effortlessly and naturally. It’s an excellent track and maintains the album’s impressive start.
With such an impressive opening salvo, the pressure is on for the band to maintain the quality at the album’s crucial halfway point and rather than buckle under the pressure, MASK OF JUDAS deliver some of the album’s best moments. Alive is a phenomenal track that really shines the spotlights on Jo Challen‘s outstanding vocals. Her screams and growls pack a punch adding an extra level of power to the already explosive wall of sound and the effortless utilisation of soulful cleans in the track’s chorus washes over you effectively whilst bouncing off the complicated guitar rhythms seamlessly. Sycophant‘s first half is slightly forgettable but it’s in the second half of the track where MASK OF JUDAS go for the jugular. Through a steady combination of Challen‘s leading cleans, soft drumming from Jof Walsh and simple bass leads from George Bell, anticipation is built before exploding into one of the most impressive solos on the record. The sheer technical skill on show here is jaw-dropping and really hammers home the band’s progressive edge.
As the record progresses into its second half, Gravity keeps the momentum surging forward through another exceptional display of fretboard flurries and intertwining vocals. Boasting perhaps one of the strongest openings on the record, the opening lead riff is an absolute earworm that will swirl in your head for days on end, which sets the track off to the best possible start. As it progresses, MASK OF JUDAS hit the sweet spot for that crucial balance to vocals and guitars and with each element given ample room to breathe, the track easily sinks its claws in and cements itself as one of the album’s highlights.
It’s therefore disappointing that following track, Brand New Conquest, is largely forgettable. Failing to deliver any iconic moments, and instead presents a routinely predictable affair, and whilst Challen‘s clean vocals are yet again impressive, the track’s five minute duration drags and offers little to compete with the album’s strongest contenders. Fortunately though, this dip in form is short-lived, as the band final trio of tracks ends The Mesmerist on a resounding high. Empire packs a mighty punch through some hard-hitting riffs thanks to the combination from Sam Bell and Reece Fullwood, Siren‘s subtle symphonic charms work a treat in enhancing Jo Challen‘s melodic vocals and present a nice contrast to the heavier passages and finale Narcissus unleashes one hell of a sonic whirlwind of dazzling riffing and earth-shattering movements that could level a city.
Whilst they certainly aren’t going to reinvent the wheel when it comes to progressive metal, what MASK OF JUDAS offer with The Mesmerist is a record full of character and quality; one which ticks all the boxes in order to succeed in metal’s most forward-thinking genre. If complicated rhythms, breathtaking solos and stunning vocal deliveries tickle your fancy, The Mesmerist will certainly be a welcome addition to your music library.
Rating: 8/10
The Mesmerist is out now via self-release.
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