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Mass: Still Chained
Mass - Still Chained Music Review

Mass: Still Chained

Melodic Hard Rock
4.0/5.0

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Pride & Joy Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 23.04.2019 | Released: 29.04.2019

Perhaps best known to Germans and the general European theater, Mass is a hard rock band from Southern Germany (and not to be confused with the classic rock band of the same name from America). Founded in 1973, the band had a flurry of eight studio albums over 13 years. Mass was basically a staple of the German rock scene before folding in 1987, succumbing to the excesses of the lifestyle. Some years later, the band was remembered by label SPV with some re-releases. This in turn encouraged founder and bass player Gunther V. Radny to consider resurrecting the band for a new generation. With his former band mates in ill health, he had to form a new, younger band featuring Matthias Pfaller (vocals), Hannes Heid (guitars), Andy Gmeinwieser (drums), and Clemens Matejka (organ). The addition of an organ in the Mass sound was a longtime desire of Radny.

Mass Photo - Click For Larger Image

Mass

So, what we have with the Mass revival is a compilation studio album where the new Mass re-records 13 songs from their back catalog, with Restless and We Are Back, the only "new" songs. You'll hear a few very important things when listening to these new recordings. One is simply the energy the band and songs have with a strong cast of young(er) talented musicians. The second thing is the staple of the Mass sound: this band can rock. Mass rocks hard and heavy with plenty of melody and harmony, beat and groove in songs filled with exciting guitar solos and catchy refrains. This is classic rock. Some of the best blasts from the past made fresh for today are Back To The Music, Kick Your Ass, Devil's Gate, and Shoot Out. For the present, and a fine taste of that Hammond organ, check out Restless, an excellent tune. All in all, Still Chained is a potent and refreshing reminder of the enduring relevance of classic hard rock and the ability of Germany's Mass to create some of the best. Recommended.


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The Bottom Line

All in all, Still Chained is a potent and refreshing reminder of the enduring relevance of classic hard rock and the ability of Germany's Mass to create some of the best. Recommended.

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