8 Foot Sativa - The Shadow Masters (2013)


INFO:

New Zealand’s most legendary metal band 8 Foot Sativa have announced a new album titled ‘The Shadow Masters’ to be released in August 2013 through Sativa Records. This album see’s the return of original vocalist Justin ‘Jackhammer’ Niessen. This will be the bands 5th full length release.

The highly anticipated return of New Zealand’s metal lords 8 Foot Sativa has finally come. The Shadow Masters also hails the return of original vocalist Justin ‘Jackhammer’ Niessen who hasn’t recorded an album with 8 Foot Sativa since 2003′s Season For Assault.

‘As It Burns’ the opening track begins in traditional 8 Foot Sativa style. A small intro breaks into a furious pace, the classic 8ft bass line kicks in and thus begins the onslaught of The Shadow Masters. Immediately I noticed a lot more melodic influence and at times creating an atmospheric vibe particularly in the last section of ‘As It Burns’.

The title track ‘Shadow Master’ is a track that really showcases the advancement Jack Hammer has made with his vocals. There’s short snappy verses and long held notes displaying the diversity in his vocal range. If you had concerns about his voice since having so much time out of the band, I assure you his voice has matured and he now has much more control. Also again the technical guitar solos of this track are impressive.

My favorite track of the album ‘Summoned To Rise’ has been crafted with absolute brilliance. The opening line – “War, Under the sky, Angels have fallen and failed again”. Lyrics like that just demand carnage in the mosh pit. The song’s structure is really what sets it off, Perfectly timed breakdowns with short kick drumming bursts. Then the last section rolls into a grove riff that commands your head to nod.

Lyrically the album seems to be themed around anti-government and anti-corporations. Constantly urging the listen to think for themselves, resist and fight back. Such as these words from ‘Never Abide”
Illuminati control
Rape soul, take energy
An archonic delusion
To assimulate both you and me

Another song that stands out to me is ‘West As’ it such a great chorus section that is also sure to be a mosh pit favorite. The vocals are doubled over giving it an almost demonic sound. Breakdowns to a neck snapping pace, Very impressive.

As an overall summery. This is a modern, fresh 8 Foot Sativa but still retaining all the stylings that forged this brutal band. The Shadow Masters will go down in New Zealand music history as one of the greatest metal albums to ever come from the land of the long white cloud.

Review by Rick Daly

TRACKLIST:

01. As It Burns
02. Shadow Masters
03. Summoned to Rise
04. Feeding the Weak
05. Never Abide
06. Anatomy of Hate
07. Visions of Red
08. Back to Bare Bone
09. West As
10. The Second Chance

Genre: Death
Subgenre: Thrash / Melodic Death Metal
Bitrate: 320 k
Size: 96.27 MB

Credit Goes To shri.ace13 Of Rockbox