MindMaze - Mask of Lies
CD Info
2013
Self-Released / United States
9 Tracks
English Lyrics
Have you ever listened to only one or two songs by a band before deciding to get their album? Chances are you have. It’s happened to me, too. In fact, I caved to this impulse again just recently. In December, I listened to a YouTube clip of "This Holy War" by MindMaze, a female-fronted heavy metal quartet from Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA. The confidence oozing from this power ballad convinced me to check out more of MindMaze’s music. Then I hit the proverbial brick wall: Only one other MindMaze song was available online at that time. So, I did what any eager "femme metal" enthusiast would do and pre-ordered the band’s debut album Mask of Lies, hoping that I’d like the rest of the album as much as I enjoyed "This Holy War." Two months later, I can say Mask of Lies is a thrill ride through the many sides of classic heavy metal and was worth my investment.
MindMaze’s approach grabs you right away on Mask of Lies. The band presents the unmistakable sound of traditional heavy metal and adds splashes of power and progressive metal. So, what you get is a robust, classic style highlighted by driving tempos, dramatic twists, catchy melodies, and massive refrains. Sarah Teets delivers big-time on the two latter elements. She commands each song with her powerful, clean voice and a theatrical flair reminiscent of what we’d hear in musicals. She also belts out long, Russell Allen-like wails that electrify the songs even more. (I’m not kidding when I say those moments remind me of the Symphony X frontman.) As for the music, one surprising aesthetic of Mask of Lies is its use of acoustic guitars. Sarah’s brother Jeff Teets brings his strumming and finger-picking to certain tracks, bringing more texture to MindMaze’s sound and either enhancing the drama or hinting at what’s to come. You wouldn’t expect an acoustic guitar to play such a vital role on a record fueled by its louder electric sibling. Yet it does, and it makes Mask of Lies all the more appealing.
The first four songs of Mask of Lies give the listener a solid idea of what to expect from MindMaze. Two high-octane anthems, "Never Look Back" and "Breaking The Chains," kick things off with rapid-fire riffs and spiraling guitar solos. "Never Look Back" leaves a more immediate impression with a terrific chorus and a "carpe diem" lyrical message. Then comes the passionately delivered "This Holy War." It starts off as a semi-acoustic midtempo ballad, then launches into synth-accented power-metal urgency. The dynamics continue on the proggy "Cosmic Overture," which shows Jeff’s composition skills as he pieces together a cohesive yet compact instrumental puzzle that never overwhelms the listener.
Another surprise from MindMaze is how well this young band crafts crescendos and epic songs. Several great crescendos rise up on Mask of Lies, with the grandest one coming on the rip-roaring title track. The song gains momentum throughout and then unleashes itself as the drums and riffs explode and Sarah lets out another lung-busting "Russell Allen" moment. As for epics, Mask Of Lies features two such tracks: the 9-minute "Destiny Calls," and the 11-minute "Dark City (Dreaming This Life)." The former begins with a folky acoustic intro akin to Nightwish’s "The Islander," then cranks out heavier rhythms as it sails on a sea of confidence. The latter shows MindMaze at their most progressive and cinematic, showing off every aspect of their sound and their songwriting skills. It plays out like a mini-movie, with the lyrics and music telling the unpredictable, dystopian story.
Mask of Lies does hit a few bumps along its route, but not many. Song-wise, "Breaking The Chains" doesn’t benefit from following "Never Look Back"; the neighboring tracks are so lyrically and musically similar that it’s difficult for the weaker of the two to stand out. "Fading Skies," on the other hand, bounces along on a contagious groove but would thrive even more if it had a stronger chorus. Also, while I enjoy Sarah’s voice, I feel as though she’s holding back her true potential. A singer for a band like MindMaze needs to have power and charisma. Sarah nails the first quality, but beside the long wails her voice lacks that crucial spark that Nina Osegueda (A Sound Of Thunder) and Ida Haukland (Triosphere) possess. She tiptoes in that direction on "Dark City," though; and if she were to really lunge for that level – and I believe she has the ability to do it – she could floor even more listeners.
A band’s debut album is meant to be their first stepping stone, however. And Mask of Lies is one heck of a stepping stone. In one-hour’s time, MindMaze creates their own identity by blending their classic and modern influences to produce material that’s energetic and homogenous with hints of timelessness. They also prove through their songwriting skills that they’re not afraid to show off their creativity. Not even I can stress enough the importance of that quality, and MindMaze will benefit in the long run because they’ve already figured it out. Give them a little more time, and they’ll learn how to iron out the remaining kinks and add more "oomph" to their sound. Consider that my raising a glass to MindMaze’s future. And trust me when I say that if Mask of Lies was worth my time and investment, it’s worth yours as well.
8.5 / 10
Best Songs: "This Holy War," "Mask of Lies," "Destiny Calls," "Dark City (Dreaming This Life)"
Recommended for fans of Doro, Seven Kingdoms, A Sound Of Thunder, Triosphere, and other female-fronted heavy metal or power metal bands
Mask of Lies is now available to purchase through MindMaze’s webshop, CD Baby, and iTunes.
