Rough Edge: Opiate For the Masses CD Reviews

OPIATE FOR THE MASSES

"Manifesto" (Century Media; 2008)

Reviewed by Mike SOS

Opiate for the Masses is a veteran act whose current release, "Manifesto," takes a number of elements from a metal smorgasbord to comprise its sound, with melodic industrial metal taking the reigns and being the most prevalent throughout the 11-track sojourn.

Electronically charged with the machine-like manipulations not unlike the harder moments conceived by Linkin Park or Stabbing Westward, tracks like “Black Book” and “Lie” keep the dance floor rocking with heavy guitars and a dark throb while the darkwave-esque “Naked,” “The Habit” and guitar-standout “Dead Underground” veer towards digitalized malaise of acts like NIN or Marilyn Manson.

Despite this quartet's less-than-stellar concealing of the influences summoned here, the catchy hooks, familiar-sounding structures, and flashy production provides a radio-friendly escape into an alternate Hollywood-created world where slick-sounding, dramatically dynamic metal blasts through the seedy clubs and acts as a soundtrack to the action scenes.

For more information, check out www.opiateforthemasses.com.

"The Spore" (American Voodoo; 2005)

Reviewed by Mike SOS

Hailing from Phoenix, AZ, the quartet known as Opiate for the Masses have a lot of momentum behind them at the moment, all culminating with the release of "The Spore."

With a Warped Tour and Taste of Chaos jaunt under its belt, the band's 14-track release meanders between lighter scaled industrial rock and radio friendly metal, with hints of harder new wave mixed in.

Tracks like the driving "Clean" and the techno-induced "Heaven" contain dramatic usage of samples as well as stabbing guitar lines, while the more subdued "Transparency" has Trent Reznor written all over it. While the band dabbles in electronic bliss, there are moments of Tool-esque clarity found on "Up to Me" that helps to round out OFM's 21st century rock assault.

Effortlessly blending genres while keeping intensity at a fever pitch throughout, THE SPORE is the perfect companion for your Flaw, Ministry, or NIN releases.

For more information, check out www.opiateforthemasses.com.

"Goodbye" (Concrete; 2002)

Reviewed by Snidermann

Bob Chiappardi's Concrete Entertainment has a gem of a band in Opiate For The Masses. Although the CD only contains six tracks, "Goodbye" quite ably displays the range and depth of this awesome Phoenix, AZ band.

Each tune is a finely crafted ditty that conveys dark, twisted imagery and explosive rock'n'roll power. Opiate For The Masses is a high quality metal band that fans of bands such as In Flames will enjoy, but their music will keep you guessing from track-to-track. Gotta love that!

"Goodbye" is full of heart, surprisingly strong hooks and a shitload of heart. I except we'll all hear and see lots more of this fine band in the future.

Opiate for the Masses: Ron Underwood - vocals; Dustin Lyon - lead guitar; Jim Kaufman - guitar and keys; Ryan Head - bass; Elias Malin - drums.

Check them out on the web at www.opiateforthemasses.com.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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