Metal maniacs, rejoice! The Thrasher returns to give you an insight; this time, hailing from the glory of Germany on
MAYFAIR performing Prog Metal…signed via
Pure Prog Records on their 5
th new album entitled: “
My Ghosts Inside”.
Going in with low expectations, I acquaint myself with a Prog quintet…holy moly, Prog has been one of
those kind of genres that are hit and miss for me, simply for how diverse the genre is. Don't get me wrong; diversity is a necessity in Metal, but sometimes I like it diversely simple in the genre in question…Prog is a genre for me that is a misconception where it tries to progress Metal, but at times I find Prog bands that sound so unrelenting messy, and just outright ridiculous that I simply don't enjoy them for that reason. However, on the off chance; I get a quartet like this here band:
MAYFAIR…(
the cigarette brand? …one may wonder…), and feel lucky to be acquainted with. Combining almost everything Metal is what Prog should be
in my opinion; just slam dancing around, really doesn't sound good…but with “
My Ghosts Inside” I dance, enjoyably, to one of the most original listens you'll discover this year - in 2016.
MAYFAIR basically combine all elementary forces of Metal, and yet they do it so well that for a Prog band; I'm surprised this album sounds enjoyably good.
Mario "Le Fate" Prunster has some interesting vocal ranges to say the least; here and there, I find some nice growls, implemented with clean vocals that are fairly understandable. Riffery sounds astonishingly brutal here and there; from
René's guitar work,
Jolly on drums never disappoints and
Johannes Leierer on bass pummels into force with unique prospective. My experience with Prog always ended up being a mess with most listens including the popular
MASTODON; who I just can't seem to get into, but this here band definitely transcends the progressives of Metal into a more enjoyable experience that keeps things rhythmic with excellent adequacy. It's quite evident that just making a mess in your music will not cut it; unless that's your thing, have at it…
…but
MAYFAIR are something spectacular; even as I begin “
Loss” and the titular track “
My Ghosts Inside”, I jam to a sound production that has no dispassionate formation and yet everything feels fresh with instrumental integrity. Elementary effects sound utterly unique and in rhythm; vocals, instrumentation, all composed with passion and integrity. Songs like “
Desert”, “
Blinded By Your Light” and “
When Angels And Demons Meet” all have this brutalization to it that puts me into a nice groove. This quintet know how to implement the uniqueness of Prog and keep it in rhythm and not sound like an utter mess; keeping things atmospheric and still in tune with 100% commitment. This record enlightens me to say that Prog is a solidified genre and grants me an open-mind to discover more quartets; hopefully such as this. Aspirations to evolve into a gargantuan mammoth that is this here band; proves to me that they're Prog legends.
“
Our Fire Starts Here”, “
Ghost Rider” and “
Boom” all example in on similar formula to the rest that naturally speaks out equitable value to give the consumer an influential image; everything just sounds enlightening and unopposed. “
Andermal”, “
Schrei Es Raus” and “
Until We Meet Again” end the album; showcasing interesting melodies that slows things down, yet speeds up again with their signature grooves that fit so well. Powerful harmonies make “
My Ghosts Inside” one of 2016's most interesting and enlightening albums you'll find. If you're like me and really want to give Prog a chance;
MAYFAIR will not disappoint. One could tell that the band made this a record to remember…originally and memorably, a fascinating listen that dispels my original opinion of the Prog genre – if I can find more talents such as this, I will be very pleased, as a music fan… So find your ghosts and party with this here brute!
Songwriting: 9
Originality: 9
Memorability: 8
Production: 9