Meshiaak
Mask of all Misery

Mask of all Misery is what we get to deal with when Australian band Meshiaak release their second album, their first one was released in 2016 to much acclaim according to the press release. Chances are that it was quite acclaimed, as this one has to be one of the finer albums of the year and a very nice positive surprise in the darkness of the winter. It is an album that dwells on the darker sides of life’s hardships but also the inner strength that makes you get through those hardships – it is dark but there are glimmers of hope.

A groovy thrash album is what this one can be described as, an album with good groove and strong melodies. We are offered ten tracks with strong variation and a playing time that feels very sensible, the album feels very dynamic with much variation in the vocals and the energy of the songs. Compared with similar bands and album this feels like a fresh sounding one, relatively original in the same comparison. And it is a powerful album with heavy and dynamic sound as well as depth, a quality production plain and simple.

Strong album with strong tracks all the way through the album, quite impressive I think. There are no weaker tracks but there are some standouts, starting with opening track Miasma. Bury the Bodies is probably the one I like the best, I took notice of it from the first time I heard it and it is one of those tracks that grows on you the more you hear it. I also think the epic ending track Godless is worth mentioning, those three are probably my highlights on an album consisting of strong tracks. That makes for a really strong album; it should appeal to anyone who likes the thrashier kind of metal.

Kangaroos, Koalas and Meshiaak, three important Australian things to remember, there are some other great bands from Australia but Meshiaak has to be one of the absolute best. So put on the mask and enjoy the misery that is being delivered by the quartet called Meshiaak, I think it would be quite stupid to miss this album as it comes highly recommended.

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