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The Wretched Masquerade

    
       
       
       
     
             
Emissary are a power metal band from the USA formed in 1989 by Jym Harris. The band have relocated, disbanded, reformed, and reunited throughout a stop/start thirty year career. A number of demo's were released during the nineties, with the bands debut album 'The Wretched Masquerade' - comprised mostly of new recordings of the band's classic material - released in 2022...    
             
...featuring eight songs across a half hour run time. The band are full of melodious intent, yet stand at the heavier end of the power metal genre, bordering on traditional metal, as the album gets underway with the chugging 'The Silent Treatment'. Now, during my review I'm not gonna distinguish between old and new material - I'm just gonna power straight through and review each song as it comes. So, back to 'The Silent Treatment' - the mid paced mid tempo swagger is catchy and infectious and will make you wanna listen to more. Which is forthcoming in the shape of the slightly faster 'Chemical Hatred'. Adopting a meaner streak than the opening song, 'Chemical Hatred' is head bangingly addictive and will keep you hooked, as the album moves forward with 'Hypochondriac'...    
             
...the first song I ever heard from the band, reminding me a little of black album era Metallica. You know the sound, a mix of thrash, traditional metal and hymn-like resonance! 'Hypochondriac' is catchy and full of foot tapping groove to keep your toes happy - along with rock fans who will be drawn to the band courtesy of this song. Entering the realms of power ballad territory, 'Solitude' manages to retain plenty of groove to keep it from falling fully in - actually pulling away from balladry, and foot stomping in the opposite direction. The band remaining in the metal zone but knocking heavily on the boundary wall of rock. Increasing the pace, tempo, and energy, Emissary storm on with the fast paced 'Ruler Of Defiance'. A definite "foot on the monitor" moment, the band live up to their power metal status with a barnstorming barrage of infectious and immensely catchy metal.    
             
The recent upsurge in speed doesn't hang around for too long though, the band adopting their more mid tempo groove with 'Out Of Reach'. The bolder, more abrasive sound of Emissary kinda defies their power metal tag - just heavy metal would be a more accurate one. But I can only go with the information I get on the press release and band bio, so (for now), power metal it is! The strains of balladry come to the fore once more, as 'Crash & Burn' displays the mellower side of the band. And on this occasion, the balladry feel remains, progressing to a heavier state through the chorus break, but giving listeners and concert goers plenty of opportunity to raise their lighters high in the air. 'Pine Box (The Art Of War)' brings the album to a close, with subject matter that may just bring a few listeners to tears. War is always an emotional subject, as death is always a major factor - and the band deal with this very professionally. 'Pine Box (The Art Of War)' is heavy on the atmosphere, thunderous on the rhythm, and maintains the albums overall groove laden and traditional heavy metal sound.    
             
Overall, a half hour of groove heavy power metal, with plenty to head bang and raise your fists to.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Metal Gods TV    
             
             
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