Sanctimonious
Mass Hypnosis
MASS HYPNOSIS is an Industrial/Groove Metal band based out of Zagreb, Croatia. This is the band's second full-length release, in 2014, and contains 14 tracks.
"Psychoacustica" is a short lead-in instrumental to the first track with vocals entitled "God Complex." The main riff is simple but effective, allowing the cold sterility of the blackened vocals to carry forth the main sound. The spoken bible verse adds to the message. "Matrix of Power" has a similar rhythm and approach.
The sampling is easily heard but doesn't over power the sound. Instead, it really adds character and contrast to the anguished vocals. "Address to the Nation" recounts some of Reagan's infamous speech where he says "he counted on American to be passive...he counted wrong." It leads into the song "Trigger Terms," which is aptly titled as it at times sounds like repeated gunfire coming at you without relenting. Together with the previous song I am getting a theme of the hypocrisy of war when it is used to solve...war. "Inevitable Disaster" really ties in the Groove element to the album in the most prominent way so far. The swinging nature of the song is fueled by electronica and a minimum of vocal presence.
"Refugees from the Promised Land" is a dark and sinister song with some background effects that nearly put you into a trance. The vocals are drawn out wails, as if the singer was being tortured during the recording. "The Sting of Consequence" is up to this point the longest track on the album. There is an ominous lead-in to what is otherwise a fairly linear song among all the unique sampling we have heard to date. "Monotheist" is a cold, attacking song that rolls towards you like an avalanche gaining steam down a mountain, while the short "Social Experiment" is a slower, more grinding track focused mostly on the low E chord. The dancing bell effect in the background suggest an almost playful light amidst the murky landscape.
"United State of Coma" has chord progressions that speak of bleakness, despondence and nothingness. It's as if all hope that you might have had is slowly torn away from you by the corporation. The secondary guitar riff that lays overtop is downright commanding, and the repeated percussion pattern is enthralling. "Codex Alimentarius" opens with a siren, warning of impending doom. In this case the focus is on our food and water supply being easily manipulated with poisons. The closing two minutes of "Novus Ordo Seclorum" is purely electronica and effects with the "New World Order" speech.
Overall I find this album to be pretty unique in terms of the Industrial Metal genre itself. Heavily political, the myriad of different sounds and effects blend a story with the music in a very well connected way.
8 / 10
Excellent
Songwriting
Musicianship
Memorability
Production
"Sanctimonious" Track-listing:
1. Psychoacustica
2. God Complex
3. Matrix Of Power
4. Address To The Nation
5. Trigger Terms
6. Inevitable Disaster
7. Message From The Advanced Intelligence
8. Refugees From The Promised Land
9. The Sting Of Consequence
10. Monotheist
11. Social Experiment
12. United State Of Coma
13. Codex Alimentarius
14. Novus Ordo Seclorum
Mass Hypnosis Lineup:
Leo - Insults, Strings
Kodin - Sampler, Keyboards
Ela - Bass, Vocals
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