After a four-year hiatus from the spotlight, Arizona-based hard rock artist Mike Masser has emerged from the studio with a vengeance. Building on decades of experience as an instrumentalist, songwriter, and vocalist, Masser has put every ounce of himself into his latest album, 5. A bold venture that blends new age technique and instrumentation with a nostalgic and comfortable twist, the LP showcases Masser’s lifetime passion for their craft, as well as their commitment to high production values, with every verse. Highlighting the album, the collection’s opening track, “Wolves In The Whiskey,” stands as a marquee example of the record’s proclivities for adrenaline-pumping hooks at every turn.
The piece begins with a reverberant electric guitar hypnotically guiding the tune’s introduction. With every bar, it prompts another instrument to take its place in the symphony, and we feel the world of the music being built around us as the song develops. As Masser begins the narrative of the track, he projects in a grumbled, yet refined tone, reminiscent of the tonal qualities of James Hetfield, and sends listeners down a rabbit hole with the opening line, “This is another war I didn’t choose. Another blackout, another bruise.”
Distinct, ambitious, and creatively definitive, this music finds a way to stay at the front of listeners’ minds long after the notes have left their speakers. Having showcased so much with this latest release, and with momentum on their side, fans can only wait with anticipation to see what could possibly be coming from this artist’s mind next.
Written by Nick Gumas
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