Some albums are best enjoyed with your feet up in comfortable chair – cup of tea in hand, and some demand that you have a quick stretch before the fun begins. Antipodean warriors Massive are most definitely responsible for the latter in their third album ‘Rebuild Destroy’.
My first listen of the new album began as I set off in the car and it was only a matter of a few metres before I realised that I was travelling as fast as opening track ‘Generation Riot’. This is a formidable opener and takes the energy and steaming guts the band are now renowned for. This isn’t the material that genre taggers will dwell on – it’s straight shooting rock n roll with a solidity that demands you drive fast and try and keep up.
The pace doesn’t let up until ‘Bullet’ where the tempo falls to for an altogether grittier (yet) passionate track. The space in the slower track is well placed on the album so as to avoid bleed between tracks and the track itself is pretty special.
The extravagance of frontman Brad Marr is clear on stage but the production on this release really does evidence his talent in the studio. ‘Face In The Crowd’ features an acoustic intro and Marr’s emotion pours through the speakers. The lyrical content proves the band aren’t all about beer and destruction – indeed the track has a commercial feel that will surely gain radio play.
For that famous Aussie rock sound, ‘Over and Out’ delivers as does ‘Gettin’ Heavy’ – two tracks that would get any party started. The rhythm section deserve a lot of credit for driving the majority of the album. Listen closely and you’ll hear walking bass lines and drum fills straight out of the top drawer.
The album closes beautifully with ‘A Mile In My Shoes’. Whilst many bands will deliver a salvo of pace and power to bookmark their album, Massive prove again that they have more in their armoury with this emotional finale. I really didn’t expect this but was massively impressed with the authenticity of the song. The guitar solo is wonderfully tasteful and the vocals at their best. Beautiful.
Having seen Massive on stage and enjoyed their company in the HRH press centre in 2018, I have to say this will be the defining release for the band. It really is that good. Don’t take my word for it though – ‘Rebuild Destroy’ will be released on 1st February 2019 through Off Yer Rocks Recordings.
An early Valentine present for a loved one? This definitely won’t wilt after a week on the kitchen table.
Track Listing –
1 Generation Riot
2 Long Time Coming
3 What You Gonna Do
4 Bullet
5 Roses
6 Face In The Crowd
7 Over and Out
8 Pieces
9 The Wrecking Crew
10 Gettin Heavy
11 A Mile In My Shoes
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Review by : Chris Stones