FRENZY FIRE

    

METAL & ROCK REVIEWS

    
             
HOME            
REVIEWS            
ARTISTS            
UPCOMING            
LINKS            
             

     
     
     
         
         

Warhead

      
         
         
         
     
             
Mason are a thrash metal band from Australia formed in 2007, releasing their self titled debut E.P. in 2011, and debut full length album 'Warhead' in 2013...    
             
...featuring ten all out thrash metallers across forty seven blistering minutes! Combining the sounds of Slayer and Metallica into one hell of a brutal crunch with intense ferocity, the five piece outfit from Melbourne are in devastating form - the three minute instrumental 'Alarum' opening the album with atmosphere, anticipation and a fire and brimstone fuelled crescendo that builds and builds and builds until...    
             
...bish bash bosh, Mason hit the ground running with the fast paced 'Imprisoned'. Full of anger and angst, 'Imprisoned' is aggressive yet melodious at the same time, banging the head of every single metalhead from here to Australia and back again! And when I say here - I mean the UK (for that's where I'm at). A terrific opening salvo to get the pulse racing and heart pounding, Mason don't relent with the ferocity, keeping the pedal firmly pressed to the metal as 'Warhead' storms on with 'Product Of Hate'. The energy level here is off the charts, the chopping guitar riffs so savage they'll tear you to shreds - the band a brutal force of nature!    
             
And with the thrash metal rollercoaster ride in full swing, there's no stopping Mason as 'Ultimate Betrayal' slows the pace just a little, yet the heaviness remains insanely heavy - 'Ride The Lightning' era Metallica springing immediately to mind! I tell you readers, every mosh pit around the world are gonna go insane for this album, 'Warhead' opening with a tremendous threesome! A threesome that soon becomes a foursome, but you have to wait fifty five seconds for the mellow intro to pass - but I tell ya, the wait is well worth it! For 'Lost It All' lacerates the skies with razor sharp guitars, thunderous drums, and an incredible throbbing rhythm! And the songs second half guitar solo is red fucking hot!    
             
And what follows next is thrash metal heaven - and at the double too! 'Cause Mason deliver two of the best songs on offer, the first 'Wretched Soul', is gonna rip your face off! The pace here is phenomenal, faster even than the speed of light - and that's fast! The band are at their speediest right now, delivering a brand of thrash that easily sits them alongside the Big 4 and the whole Bay Area sound! And while in reality heaven can wait, 'Warhead' continues thrash metal heaven with the even faster 'Ways Of The Weak'. Yes readers, the speed of light can't even keep up with the band right now, Mason showing a clean pair of heels to everyone!    
             
The album's title song 'Warhead', maintains the breath taking pace and power, driving forth with phenomenal purpose and incredible intent! Just what have the Melbourne thrashers been drinking to give 'em all this energy? Damned if I know, but I hope they've got plenty left as there's still two more songs to go - 'Wasteland' flying outta the speakers on the crest of a thundering drum solo, the necks of every head banger around the world starting to feel the effects of such a head bang-able album! And even the final song 'Vengeance' doesn't slow the band down, the pace and tempo changes on show are dramatic, bringing 'Warhead' (the album) to a fantastic close.    
             
Overall, is thrash metal dead? Not a chance - with brutal crunching guitars, pounding drums, blistering guitar solos and dramatic time changes - this is thrash metal at its superb best.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
             
Top