MYSTYC BLADE is the mindfuck of Christophe Danjon, a self-taught musician from France. Only having been active for a little over a year, he already released an EP in 2023 (“Stay Away”) and on October 19, 2024 he quite unexpectedly has a full-length studio album to bring to the turntable. The title “The Master Is Inside” is quite cryptic, but it does fit the bill. Before I go any further, one the info with the music it states that Christophe plays guitar and handles the vocals, but not who does the rest. On the Metal Archives page it states that he does all the instruments, which might be the case. If he does, he is a very talented, versatile and knowledgeable musician.

“The Master Is Inside” is filled with Heavy Metal riddles with Progressive and Melodic influences. And to make a long story short, MYSTYC BLADE is able to mix those in a very impressive way. It all flows into each other seamlessly, and never do you get the feeling that anything is forced onto each other, that it all has come together in a very natural way. That in itself makes listening to “The Master Is Inside” a smooth ride. But before you get too comfortable, it is not like going down a slide. Not at all, because what Christophe Danjon has been able to do is keep the rough edges in the music as well as his vocals. He hasn’t tried to polish everything down to the bare bone. No, he has left the meat on those bones, left you as a listener to get the feeling that you are experiencing a very spontaneous record.

That feeling that you will get from listening to “The Master Is Inside” is one of discovery, as if you have found another diamond in the rough. And yes, maybe you have if you like what MYSTYC BLADE is treating us to. I haven’t heard the debut EP “Stay Away” before now, but after several turns of “The Master Is Inside” I have to admit that it has piqued my curiosity. This man Christophe Danjon is a master in his musical trade, if “The Master Is Inside” is anything to go by. Not only will I be extremely interested in what he will give us after this album, I am also very curious as how he is going to replicate this impressive album in a live setting.