Album Review: Rick Massie – Eclipse (Self Released)

Rick Massie is a metal musician/solo artist from Whitehorse, Yukon. His musical projects are based in progressive hard rock/metal, and include a wide variety of musical styles and ideas from many genres, including black metal, death metal, prog, pop, avant-garde, cinematic music, electronic, and more.

His debut album, “Eclipse” is planned for release on May 1st, 2020 and has been described as reminiscent of well-known artists including Devin Townsend, Opeth, Katatonia, Enslaved, and Andrew W.K.

A very promising debut, Massie builds expectations with the ethereal yet thumping intro of the title track before expanding horizons with the glorious A Moment of Truth (Uncertainty). So damn pretty, the melody and haunting vocals that make up the first part is wonderful. However, Massie has so much more in the tank and as the track ‘heavies’ up, the guitars produce phenomenal sounds. A star track in every way.

The initial peacefulness of The Way is interrupted by admirable catchy guitar rhythm before the
transcendent beauty with a wonderful post-metal edge of Time After Time proves the initial wow factor was not a fluke.

With some very 80’s style synth, Reflections puts a big smile on the face. The guitar work here is out of this world, the infectious beat getting under the skin compelling the foot to tap and the head to bang.

Call it preservation for the absolute epics to come, Sunrise in the Rain is the shortest track and most laid back offering. Needed as Mysterious Ghost and Following the Rain are a combined 32+ minutes long.

Conserve the energy, Massie is about to take us to places not often experienced. Mysterious Ghost, the penultimate and longer of the two, takes its time building the feelings up before releasing them in effortless style. Eventually the track releasing a whole bunch of frustration with the heaviest sound heard on the album.

Finally it’s Following the Rain, another monumental effort that scatters epic elements in and around some savage heaviness. Wow. Rick Massie is a talent. Eclipse is not one to be missed.

Rick Massie – Eclipse Full Track Listing:

1. Eclipse
2. A Moment of Truth (Uncertainty)
3. The Way
4. Time After Time
5. Reflections
6. Sunrise in the Rain
7. Mysterious Ghost
8. Following the Rain

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