Search - The Mass :: City of Dis

If John Zorn worked with Converge

cosmokane31 | San Francisco, CA United States | 05/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If John Zorn worked with Converge, it might sound like this. The Mass don't fit into any genre, but are best (and always) described by comparison to The Dillinger Escape Plan, Fantomas, Mr. Bungle - you get the picture. What sets the Mass apart are (a) saxophone, and (b) a willingness to play straight-up, horns-in-the-air metal, if only for seconds at a time. This Oakland-based band is less vocal-oriented than their peers (but where there are vocals, they are varied and effective). Thus, instrumentation takes center stage. In addition to the requisite art-skronk freakouts, there are intriguing composed passages and moments of introspection. In a world filled with musical conformity, "City of Dis" is a refreshingly challenging listen."