Is there any metal band name more predictable or pedestrian than Black Mass? There’s at least 10 bands with the name on the Metal Archives alone. When we factor in the bands they don’t deem “metal enough” for inclusion on their site (i.e. the Chicago based metallic hardcore band), the number grows even larger. So to avoid any and all confusion, the Black Mass we’re reviewing today hails from Boston, Massachusetts. Their latest album, Feast at the Forbidden Tree, isn’t anything groundbreaking, but it sure raises hell and then some.
I wasn’t sure what to expect when first checking out this album. The fantasy themed cover art had me thinking this would be a traditional metal affair in the vein of Eternal Champion. Although knowing Redefining Darkness’ track record for specializing in the finest black, death, and thrash metal, I should’ve known better. Feast draws heavily from the thrash side of the spectrum, and not the typical drunken, party ready niche that has become the norm post-Municipal Waste. No, Black Mass conjures an evil, hellish brand of thrash metal that sounds straight out of 1985. This is made evident from the album’s intro, which after teasing us with a minute and a half of ominous organs, goes straight for the jugular with a barrage of breakneck riffs.
“Intro” then segues into the album’s unofficial opener, “Unholy Libations”, and all I can say is unholy hell Batman! Ever wonder what it would sound like if Venom, Discharge, and Metal Blade era Slayer got into a three way knife fight? Look no further. The riffs are fast and ferocious. The drums alternate between crusty d-beats and blackened blasts. All of this is shrouded by an aura of wickedness, reminiscent of black metal’s first wave. If this description doesn’t have you salivating, the metalpunk mania of “Dead to the World” surely will with its leather and studs.
As Feast progresses, it becomes clear that Black Mass are at home with their unique spin on old school thrash. Cuts like “A.S.H.E.S” , “A Path Beyond”, and “Betrayal” contain equal part machine gun and mosh riffs, Hell Awaits-esque production, and the over the top vocals of Brandon O’Hare, which range from primitive gutturals to ear drum shattering shrieks that rival Sheepdog of Razor infamy. Some songs, like “Nothing is Sacred” and “Blood Ritual”, lean more on the blackened side of things, proving that Black Mass could make a killer no frills black metal band if they wanted to. This leaves the dark horse of the album, “They Speak in Tongues”, which can best be described as a thrash homage to Mercyful Fate. The riffs and melodic leads come straight from the playbook of Denner and Shermann, while O’Hare attempts his best King Diamond impersonation.
Feast is truly a feast of all things fast and retro. It recaptures the salad days of extreme metal better than most of the bands who lived through it could. Whether your preferred style is thrash, black, death, or hardcore, Feast touches upon them all with equal conviction. Of all the Black Masses, this is the Black Mass headbangers will be talking about for years to come.
8 out of 10
Label: Redefining Darkness Records
Genre: Thrash Metal
For fans of: Venom, Slayer, Discharge