RIFTROCK REVIEWS

The Mass

Perfect Picture Of Wisdom And Boldness
Posted by Dave Huffy
8/17/05

The "Perfect Picture Of Wisdom And Boldness" CD is the second album from this Oakland “indie metal” outfit, and though this is their sophomore release on Crucial Blast I’m sure some of you don’t even know they put out a first. So let me take this opportunity to introduce you to some of the more diverse type of metal that this band produces, although you cant exactly lump it into that category.

The Mass are a cluster fuck of jazz, stoner metal, and rock which gives you only a snippet of what this band is comprised of but it will have to do for now until you choose to check this one out for yourself. Think of later Amorphis with Melvins type heaviness and song arrangements that can go wherever they please whenever. If this album marks your first introduction to this band, it will give you a great image of what this band is all about which is the whole “anything goes” approach. I’ve read other places about this band getting thrown into a metal label but just because they have the elements of the genre poking its fickle head out.

The songs are poised with great flow that all the while tends to a multi tasking of instrumentation that keeps every song full of viscera. You will find it challenging sometimes but that is never a bad attribute, it builds character and this group already has plenty of that.

When it comes down to it this band isn’t metal at all but like many bands who decide to not limit themselves, it will have it’s metal elements but as a whole there is much more going on which is another reason why this album is great for anyone who is into limitless music they may or may not contain heavy parts, but in the end you’ll just have to hear for yourself.