Mahatma Gandhi once said, "patience is the chief virtue of those who have faith": if that's
the case, then the faithful are about to be rewarded.
Amebix are to release
their first full album of new material since '87, and it's a cracker. The nucleus
of the band has always been brothers Rob and Stig, but the addition of
drummer/producer Ray Mayorga has proved to be a masterstroke, giving the band
the sound that these songs deserve.
Cited by some as one of the most
influential bands of the crust punk scene of the Mid Eighties, the polished
sound of the new material may not appeal to the die hards, but if there's any
justice in this business then this album shouldn't just open doors: it
should smash them down.
Sonic Mass is fused together with a wide range of sound; huge
discordant riffs and busy tribal drums flow from track to track
effortlessly, with Rob's vocals ranging from pure anger to almost stadium rock
singalong anthemic chant. The album has its instant songs such as latest
single "Knights of the Black Sun", but it's hidden gems like "The One" and the superb two-part title track that really set the tone of the
album.
A truly great piece of music, you NEED to hear this.
