Master Massive are a very enigmatic band. There isn’t much information floating about on the internet about them and the press sent with this release was less than helpful. After some digging, I managed to discover that the foundations for this recording were initially touched on in 1988 when Swedish metal band Zanity recorded the song (Time Out Of Nowhere). Then in 1993, Jan Strandh, the brainchild behind Master Massive assembled a group with the story encompassed in “The Pendulum” in mind… Then nothing. Nothing for 22 years.
Eventually, “The Pendulum” was recorded and is set for release. It clocks in at just over 70 minutes and features a raft of guest vocalists: Peo Pettersson (Axia,Leviticus), Katarina Lilja (Therion)
Erik Forsberg, Öivin Tronstad (Carptree, Jupiter Society), Tony Yoansson (Masquerade), Tony Niva (Niva, Lion´s Share), Petter Karlsson (Therion), Karl Nyhlin. The album itself is a concept album which can be tricky to pull off at the best of times, especially if it is a debut 22 years in the making. Anyway, The pendulum swings and it’s time to experience this long awaited metal opera.
“The Pendulum” has your standard traditional euro metal/power metal feel. Rooted in the 80’s with its musical sound for the majority, it has some hard hitting riffs, soaring melodies and melodic solo’s with very distinct vocals. Whilst this provides a good backdrop for Jan’s epic tale, the delivery of the tale and the complexity of it when you first listen to it a few times really hinders the album. Some of the vocal performances are great, but the way they are arranged often feels convoluted at times and the fact it failed to grip me and hold my attention each time I listened after the first few tracks. Whilst its theme is interesting (The Gods choose a normal person and bestow upon him the power to change the fate of the world in order to either fulfil or prevent a dark prophecy from occurring. The album describes the actions and outcome of the individual), the fact it doesn’t really grip you kind of makes its meaning lost.
Perhaps this is a case of the idea seeming right and the sound being right 22 years ago when this was first solidly discussed, but the huge delay for reasons only Jan Strandh can reveal has harmed this album as far as I am concerned. What looked like an appealing album to listen to and write about does offer some good moments, like “Time Out Of Nowhere” with its powerful metal edge, and the fantastic “The Media Palace” which sounds extremely like Manowar circa 1988 and fantastic storytelling in “Hymn To Yellowhawk” work well. However for those good moments, it has plenty to go against it, most notably in some of the more self indulgent moments and fillers which narrate the album and try to further the story along, but at the same time completely disrupt the flow of the album.
I’m a fan of concept albums, I’ve heard some great ones and some not so great ones and sadly for Master Massive, this falls into the latter category. Despite being musically solid with some good moments like those listed above, it’s just a bit too much. A grand idea and very ambitious, this album hasn’t held up to the test of time after such a lengthy incubation period.
(3/10 Fraggle)
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