Massive are back with a new instalment of beer drinking, foot stomping, hell-raising rock ‘n’ roll.
The hardest working rock band Down Under are back with another slab of high-octane rock’n’roll with their third studio album – Rebuild Destroy – that will be released on Feb 1st through new label Off Yer Rocka/HRH. Produced by Oz metal legend Chris Themelco at Monolith Studios in Melbourne, this record is wilder, faster, and bigger-sounding than Full Throttle or Destination Somewhere, with original guitarists Brad Marr and Ben Laguda now joined by Andrew Greentree on Drums and Brenton Kewish on Bass.
Fresh from blitzing the stage at Hard Rock Hell in November 2018, and doing a selection of shows around Australia, the band are gearing up for the album launch show on Jan 27th at Northcote Social Club in Melbourne, which should be a cracker of a night.
If you are not a fan of power-riffs, thunderous drums, high-speed guitar licks and raucous vocals, then look away now as this record will not be for you. The opener “Generation Riot” kicks off with twin harmony riffs which re-appear through the track, behind the mass vocals of the chorus, and the huge sound of the drums features from the intro through the chaotic mid-section, before the frenetic solo takes us to the climax. This track would not be out of place on “Ace of Spades”.
There is a definite Massive feel to “Long Time Coming” in the pre-chorus and chorus in particular, and Brad absolutely belts out the vocals, more so than he normally does, with that signature guttural throaty rasp. I really like the stripped-back chorus that picks up from the solo, before we are back at full-throttle for the closing chorus. “What You Gonna Do” maintains the thread, and you now know you are back in the world according to Massive – this is not an original rock band by any means, but in keeping with many upcoming rock bands from the UK and Australia right now, the guitar-fuelled classic hard rock sound is seeing a resurgence in support, and these guys do it to the max.
There is a bluesier hook to “Bullet” which has a slower riffing beat, huge-sounding drums, and greater dynamics between the verse and chorus, and a belting guitar line under the ripping solo.
“Roses” lifts up the pace again, and the boys deliver another catchy riff and a melodic chorus that is all hooks, over the pounding bass and drums. A quieter intro to “Face In The Crowd” allows a mellow vocal line over the guitars and develops into something halfway between ballad and bluesy-rocker.
The foot goes back to the floor with another cracking Laguda riff on “Over And Out” and I reckon there will be a tough choice whether to open the show with this one or “Generation Riot”, but given the title, maybe this one will close the set proper.
A bit of a Living End feel creeps into “Pieces” and provides a bit more light and shade in the riffs than the more usual Massive tracks, although maintains the frenetic style through the chorus – this track will grow and grow and will be a real crowd-pleaser live. An ode to the life that the guys have followed for the last few years, and reflecting the Rebuild / Destroy album title, “The Wrecking Crew” is a belter of a track, with that off-beat tempo that is a Massive signature, and a raucous chorus of backing vocals throughout. There is a tasty little guitar solo thrown in before the break-down chorus, and then true to form, it is foot-to-the-floor to the end.
“Getting Heavy” is another cracker, with a lower-key riff that delivers some extra punch, while Brad has some fun with the drawled slurred vocals over the barroom soundtrack, and the boys in the band kick in with the mass backing vocals for the final chorus.
The band are right at the start of another mammoth tour adventure, with 52 dates confirmed so far through 2019 across 11 countries, including the Rockingham and Hard Rock Hell festivals in the UK. You owe it to yourself to catch them somewhere.
Words: Peter Coates
Massive
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