Newzerror - Album Review: Behind The Mask
Newzerror is a powerhouse couple that combine atmospheric, melodic industrial metal.
Formed in 2021 and originally part of Bay of Plenty metal band, Ten Tonne Terror. Rick Walker (drums, guitar, bass) and his partner in crime, Dee Ellis (vocals, keyboard) are no strangers to the metal circuit as musicians in former and current bands, Rick in 8Forty8 and Medusa Glare (performing with the latter since 2015) and Dee holding her own in numerous covers bands like Icefire (formally Fire & Ice) and Ignite.
Their debut single, You, was released in 2022 and this is their long-awaited debut album, Behind The Mask, and what a trip it is.
If you’re a fan of Devilskin, Rammstein, a hint of Nightwish and Tadpole (hear me out here) you’re in for a treat. Heavy on melody but taking no prisoners when it comes to meaty bass lines, heavy hitting drums and driving riffs. Combine that with an outstanding set of pipes from Dee Ellis, and you have something you know is going straight into your created playlists.
Playing on tension and atmospheric ambience before assaulting every sense you have; Alibi is a ripper to open with. If you’re not immediately headbanging and making faces, well, maybe you need to try again.
Infectious is exactly what Newzerror prescribes, but not just that, it’s the level of precision and solid musicianship too. This is some of the best industrial metal with this kind of melodic ferocity.
Bury Your Head and Twisted Tree are two other tracks that caught my attention. Going back to mentioning Tadpole. If you remember what a powerhouse of a band they were, Dee’s vocals remind me of Renee Brennan’s. Incredibly incendiary and amazing to listen to in any capacity. I love Dee’s power and control.
I couldn’t finish things off with mentioning the crushing self-titled, Behind The Mask. An absolute belter of a tune with those crashing riffs and heavy cymbals that create a driving tempo, only to switch things up. Rick takes lead on vocals here and packs exactly what is needed.
A stunning debut from Newzerror. What they have produced is nothing short of edge of your seat, solid music that is testament of a strong musical connection. I can’t wait to hear what’s next.
About Newzerror
With a metal influenced background but spending most of his musical career playing rock music, Rick has been the drummer with groups such as Hamilton rock band 8Forty8. Since 2015 he has performed with Hamilton rock band Medusa Glare who are currently receiving some good airtime and reviews on their two latest singles and previous 2x EP’s. Rick has always had a desire to create a metal album playing not only drums but also guitars, and he is proud to have achieved this with Newzerror.
Dee has mostly played in covers bands since she was 16 starting out on keys and backing vocals in Napier band Third Party, lead vocalist and keys in originals & covers band Fire & Ice (later renamed Icefire), and more recently Tauranga covers band Ignite (with Rick featuring on drums since 2017). Her band Icefire received great accolades; winning best entertainment with the NZ Wedding Industry Awards in 2015 and People’s Choice Award for best band in 2012 with NZ Corporate Events Guide. Dee performed on an almost weekly basis for 10 years up until 2020, taking a break after having her 2nd child. Metal was a new path for her when she joined Ten Tonne Terror in 2016, and now she's smashing out tunes such as Newzerror's You there’s no turning back!
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Newzerror
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