Grand Massive is a stoner/doom metal band from Germany who formed in 2008. Their latest release, “Houses of the Unholy,” is their third EP but they also have two full-lengths, two splits, and a live album under their belt.
Their sound is rooted in doom but it is actually quite dynamic and varied. The tempo isn’t always slow and they use a lot of galloping rhythms that are a nod to the old school style of metal. Elements of hardcore and even a punk infused energy can be found here among the five songs. Add in the classic blues style influence of doom and the result is an album that mixes it up and does so very well.
The album is surprisingly catchy, due in no small part to Alex’s expressive vocals. His cleans have just enough gruff to them but there is a certain energy and confidence to them that cannot be denied.
The production is modern, a loud (but not overly) and smooth production/mix that helps the song glider right on by. As such, the 27 minute runtime passes by rather quickly, offering a reason for many repeat listens.
It all begins with the quiet, clean tones of “Those From The Shadows,” but they quickly build up into a mountain of distorted riffs with just enough melody to see them grab onto a huge hook that stays in your head. The crunchy riffs and cadence of the vocals still remain stuck in my head, such is their infectious groove. The chorus is big and catchy with excellent riffs that cap it off on both ends.
“Unwritten Prophecy” offers another side of the band with an opening that is both speedy and hammering. The bass is fantastic during the pre-chorus and the riffs on the actual chorus had my entire body moving. The song ends strongly as a blazing guitar solo rolls out among the groove laden riffs.
The album slows it down with the massive “The Last Mountain.” A slow crushing riff cuts through the song as the vocals bounce off it. Peter and Jochen are riff machines! Holger and Randy, drums and bass respectively, provide a sterling rhythm section that holds down the low end while giving the song plenty of breathing room. The cello near the end is a very nice surprise and I’d like to see it incorporated more on future releases.
Bass and drums open the gates of “Call of Demons,” as the guitar creeps in. By the 29 second mark, the band is in full swing. The bigger more expensive riffs during the chorus are fantastic, as infectious as the chorus is.
The final song is a cover of Metallica’s “Jump In The Fire.” Metallica bores me these days and I’ll die happy if I never hear them again so I wasn’t sure how much I wanted to hear this cover. Apparently, I want to hear it a lot because it’s much better than I thought it would be. Take a thrash song, throw in some doom, and we have an unique cover that I found myself going back to several times even though I’d rather eat a pile of vomit than ever hear the original again.
Grand Massive’s “Houses of the Unholy” is one of the better EP’s I’ve heard this year and it definitely has me anticipating their next full-length.
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