Grand Massive — 4

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German rockers GRAND MASSIVE have upped the ante on its second full-length album “4” (fourth album overall including two prior EPs). The quintet, featuring vocalist Alex Andronikos, bassist Toby Brandl, drummer Raphael Speyerl and guitarists Peter Wiesenbacher and Jochen Böllath, play a diverse amalgam of stoner/doom/grunge rock.

Formed in 2009, the band’s sound has transformed into a tight-knit unit with exceptional songwriting skills and a knack for creating engaging and hooky melodies, decorated with great vocal harmonies and massive grooves.

By combining the best parts of down-stroked riffing, a lá METALLICA, with a sludgy, southern-tinged aesthetic in the vein of CORROSION OF CONFORMITY and modern rock vibes of GODSMACK, along with DUST FOR LIFE, MY SISTERS MACHINE and ALICE IN CHAINS-esque grunge rock vocal harmonies, GRAND MASSIVE create a robust musical stew.

Instrumental opener “Beyond the Massif” is the calm before the storm as it eventually fades in with distortion-laden guitar riffs before erupting with first proper track “Devourer of Time,” one of the fastest tracks on the album. With its METALLICA-esque start and stop guitar/snare drum pattern tandem, driving rhythm section and Andronikos’ melodic, engaging and inviting vocals, it’s a good start to the album. “Ashes of my Revenge” utilizes a slower pace with chugging riffs and pounding floor tom beat with a sludgy, sci-fi vibe. “My Path” with guest vocals from Dirk “Dicker” Weiß from WARPATH, is an obvious musical nod to the ’90s, while “Revolution Waltz” and “The Collector” utilizes some of the band’s more punk rock influences.
With its 11 diverse tracks, this album will immediately grab you and hold your attention throughout its 50-minute runtime with the conclusion of the slow-burning, seven-plus minute album closer “Bam I Dunya.” If you’re a fan of aforementioned bands and genres, “4” will scratch your itch.

Songwriting: 9
Musicianship: 8
Memorability: 8
Production: 8