Customer Reviews

City of Dis

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If John Zorn worked with Converge, it might sound like this. The Mass don't fit into any genre, but are best (and always) described by comparison to The Dillinger Escape Plan, Fantomas, Mr. Bungle - you get the picture. What sets the Mass apart are (a) saxophone, and (b) a willingness to play straight-up, horns-in-the-air metal, if only for seconds at a time. This Oakland-based band is less vocal-oriented than their peers (but where there are vocals, they are varied and effective). Thus, instrumentation takes center stage. In addition to the requisite art-skronk freakouts, there are intriguing composed passages and moments of introspection. In a world filled with musical conformity, "City of Dis" is a refreshingly challenging listen.

this is a killer full-length debut and is a sickly chaotic ride. i find it quite addictive and intriguing and would say that this is perfect music for fans of hard-edge and raw, yet melodic music like quality hardcore (Minor Threat? Bad Brains?), classic metal, raging rock-fueled jazz and prog workouts in the vein of Crimson. i have heard other people mention Iceburn Collective and Zorn's Naked City upon hearing this. the music does sway into mellow territory occasionally, but this is quite an intense listen overall and it seems to contain truly evil overtones. Matt Waters (vocals/sax) yells his head off AND lays down some killer melodic passages on his horn. The rest of the band kicks down furiously (quartet= vocals/sax, guitar, bass & drums). these guys are awesome and have a very wide scope. this is eclectic stuff, but it does remain in a sort of hardcore/metal/prog-jazz sort of realm (i use the word jazz loosely...they don't blow straightahead or bop on this record! there seems to be little improvisation here, as well). this is not over-produced to any extent....it's an extremely raw record. unleash the fury! get City of Dis!! p.s.: contains a 7 + minute video track of 'We Enslaved Elves..' to be played on pc or mac. you will like. i suggest viewing after listening to the c.d. a few times. p.p.s. enjoy the riff lift from Metallica's Disposable Heroes on 'Trapped under a Ice' !!!