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Mastord: Trail Of Consequence
Mastord - Trail Of Consequence Music Review

Mastord: Trail Of Consequence

Progressive Metal
4.0/5.0

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Inverse Records
Released: 14.02.2019
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 13.02.2019

Hailing from Finland, Mastord is the project of songwriter and guitarist Kari Syvela. Syvela developed the original concept and music between 2016 and 2017, before offering producer/engineer Teemu Aalto a listen. Aalto was impressed and pleased with what he heard, yet encouraged Syvela to expand the music by gathering additional musician. Mastord then became a piece work project with Syvela finding his musicians one at a time. This included meeting his vocalist, Markku Pihlaja (Manitou, Return to Void, Kaihoro, etc), in a local grocery store. Releasing on Valentine's Day, Trail Of Consequence is Syvela and Mastord's debut recording.

Mastord Photo - Click For Larger Image

Mastord

Two things should be known at the start. Musically, Mastord plays melodic progressive metal. Conceptually, the album is about a terrible and often hidden problem, domestic abuse and violence.

To expand on the former, you'll find five only five songs within the album, three long and two quite short. In the longer pieces you'll hear lightly complex progressive metal arrangements, boasting solid melody and groove and featuring Syvela's sharp guitar work. By example, the 18 minute The Dark Side Of The Mind starts with some Middle Eastern flavor in the guitar work before turning into a composition with diverse parts. Early in the song a guitar solo rises, followed by rhythmic riffs over drums. About the midpoint, there's light, yet foreboding, breakdown that leads to a linger symphonic movement woven with piano. The song rises in the end with strong riffs leading to a guitar solo. For the shorter piece, Ocean Of Hate, you find Pihlaja's voice lilting over somber riffs and drums. For the music and concept, the voice of the domestic abuser is supplied Lauri Pikka (Demonic Death Judge, Total Devastation, etc) adding some angry vocals within Burden and Heritage. In the latter half of Heritage, spoken word artist Kem Helenius offers us a narrative explanation of the concept, nature, and consequences of domestic violence.

All in all, thanks to strong songwriting and skillful musicianship, Trail Of Consequence is a fine first effort for Kari Syvela and Mastord. We should expect more in the future.



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The Bottom Line

All in all, thanks to strong songwriting and skillful musicianship, Trail Of Consequence is a fine first effort for Kari Syvela and Mastord. We should expect more in the future.

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