Mass Hysteria – Tenacious, leaves. 2

Mass Hysteria drives the point home with the second part of Tenacious, his tenth studio album. More goes into it, it allows us to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the French group with dignity.

After delivering the first part in June, Mass Hysteria finally reveals the seven other pieces that make up Tenacious, the group’s tenth album. If the first part veered between edgy titles and well-felt experiments, the second emphasizes immediacy. Thus, the angry riff of “The Inversion of the Poles” or the palpable rage of “Washington Death” leaves one dreaming of the energy they will release in concert.

The group also allows itself some breathing space, notably on the bridge of “L’air bien”. Dense enough to be relevant, but short enough to be digestible, this half of the album hits the mark, crystallizing the sonic identity of Mass Hysteriastill going strong after more than thirty years in the service of metal.

Find this column on Mass Hysteria and many others in our issue 157, available on newsstands and via our online store.

Tenacious, leave. 2 is available

Here is the tracklist:

1. Pole Reversal
2. Looks good
3. Washington death
4. An Assange passes
5. Ex-Voto
6. The compelling emotional
7. The Fire Club