Having heard most of the new tracks live at HRH Goth (Full review and video interview with Massive Ego HERE) I already knew that this EP was going to sound great. Not only does it radiate the wonderous and joyful electronics and sheer class that Massive Ego is known for, it also continues to accentuate the depth of concept the band can play so well on. Marc is always singing lyrics with a far deeper meaning than you might realise at first. This EP goes down like a decadent absinthe for the soul.. Powerful and thoroughly satisfying.
After a long period of forced isolation, distanced from a pandemic weary society, starved of any interaction with their fellow earthlings the new EP reflects on where we are now as a species.
THIS IS OUR REALITY. THIS IS THE NEW NORMAL.
There’s something for everyone on the new EP. The opening song and somewhat controversial first single You Will Comply (released 01/10/21) saw the band comment on the pandemic generation and the current reality the world finds itself in.
“It certainly wasn’t anti-vac as some seemed to think, instead it asked that we remember to question authority instead of being silenced for fear of being coined ‘tin foil hat wearers’ or being shut down by a public that’s quick to jump on those who speak up in today's cancel culture. The lyrics are ambiguous to open dialogue, and not just accept being under the rule of corrupt Governments, the powerful and global pharmaceutical companies”. The artwork is self explanatory, it's the New Normal of the title that we have to be vaccinated to carry on with our lives, this is the normality of our being at the moment. It's a visual interpretation of that , neither commenting for or against being vaccinated. - Marc Massive (Singer)
Fake Star reflects on an ever-changing night sky overpopulated with Elon Musk’s man-made machines circling above our heads, questioning mankind's interference with the solar system given our track record here on Earth.
The lyrically dark and pure electro sounding single Dead Eyes Black brings the tempo back to the clubs and the dance floor, where jolting and pulsating beats guide the listener down a solitary road of self-destruction, revisiting a familiar subject matter for the band. With an equally dark and nightmarish vision directed by video visual artist Javier Gallego Escutia.
“We’re known for producing tracks you can dance to and Dead Eyes Black proves this with its kick drum beat that anyone would find hard not to move to. My favourite kind of track to play live and watching the audience react is everything”. - Oliver Frost (Drummer)
Whilst the gothic undertones and subject matter of The Vampires Wife with its clean synth-pop driven sound is sure to strike a chord with the dark scene.
The four on the floor future club hit Not Without Consequence could almost be the big sister to the popular live Massive Ego track ‘Haters Gonna Hate', complete with acidic vocal delivery and banging hard beats, this rounds off The New Normal EP.
As eclectic as usual, the new songs on the EP play to the bands’ strengths of what made the first album 'Beautiful Suicide’ such a fan favourite. The EP marks a return to form perhaps, characterised by catchy synth-pop melodies, but with a sprinkle of darker 80’s sounds. No surprise then that Marc Massive made a cameo appearance in the latest video for legendary 80’s band Duran Duran for their single Anniversary.
Massive Ego has already began working on a new album for 2022 with a new line-up and a returning familiar face in the form of Lloyd Price who was a major contributor to the sound and production of their first album on Out of Line and biggest club hit ‘I Idolize You’.
A fourth new member in the shape of Porl Young comes with a healthy goth-pop history behind him as an ex member of the 90’s UK goth band Rosetta Stone, and guest appearances on tracks by The Mission, bringing a guitar element to the Massive Ego sound ahead of a string of festival appearances in 2022 including…
Plage Noire - Germany 6-7th May Out of Line Weekender - Germany 12-14th May Castle Party - Poland 8-10th July Alongside other European festivals to be announced and a European tour later in the year.
Massive Ego might just have teased an exciting new future, not afraid of change, with an eye on the past but with a most definitely forward-thinking mind.
Massive Ego is Marc Massive, Oliver Frost, Lloyd Price and Porl Young.
Review
'You Will Comply' is another track where the band directly take on modern events and people's relevant behaviours in the world we find ourselves in. This track does exceptionally well in its story telling through structure and form of the beat and vocals.
'Fake Star' brings a sense of the nostalgic with a telling of the new world overtaking the old. There is a tonal feel of decades past in its almost retro-wave beat structure but still undeniably modern and poignant of lyric.
'Dead Eyes Black' is another great addition to the Gothic dance floor anthem catalogue Massive Ego has produced thus far. This track would feel at home on any Gothic or electronic dancefloor. It is both easy listening but just as easily dance-centric. I can imagine enjoying this track at 3am on a packed out dancefloor whilst those upon it start to flag and appreciate the less intense beats and arm flowing rhythms at the later point of the night..
'The Vampires Wife' has a beautiful, B.E.A.U-TIFUL but all too bitterly sweet chorus that I wish lasted longer because it really strikes a deeper part of my soul that is only ever satisfied by the very rarest parts of songs. This is an elegant dance macabre that I cannot give justice to in words, go listen to it! If any song has suited Marc's voice so elegantly, then it is this. The synths ascending near the end of the track are like the last bite of a meal forever savoured.
Finally we have 'Not Without Consequence' which brings a faster paced dance flurry of dark electronic enjoyment. It's forever impossible not to to dance along to tracks like these, or at the very least fight hard with your foot as it taps frantically.
A thoroughly satisfying and gorgeous piece that really does showcase that wonderful electronic sound now returned in the form of the Beautiful Suicide album.
Tracklist
You Will Comply
Fake Star
Dead Eyes Black
The Vampires Wife
Not Without Consequence
Conclusion
Massive Ego never cease to impress me with just how talented they are at putting out stunning Gothic album after stunning Gothic anthem. In every release there always seems to be one or two diamonds standing out amongst the rest of the gems.
Why this band isn't far more well known can only be down to one thing.. It really does take a connoisseur to appreciate the finest things in life and Massive Ego continue to cater to that exact level of decadent Gothic luxury that is of the most exquisite quality. Let's hope more people come round to sampling this level of great music in future.
Scores
Technicality: 8/10
Soul factor: 9/10
Energy: 8/10
Vocals/Samples: 9/10
Re-play value: 9/10
Overall score: 8.6 / 10
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