It’s rather amazing, at least to me, how much difference production on an album can make. On Mass’s album, “Voices in the Night,” the production is much better than their 1986 debut, “New Birth.” Then again, “Voices in the Night” was produced by one Michael Sweet. You might have heard of him, he’s with some band called Stryper. The difference in production between the two albums is like chalk and cheese and we get full appreciation of Mass’s potential, which I knew they always had because I had seen them live on the debut tour.
Thanks to my sister, I already knew the opening title track and it does give an indication of great things to come. That is followed by a straight forward “Nine Tonight,” which is no doubt about meeting someone at nine o’clock. I don’t know if the date goes well but the harmonizing on the song is done very well, almost like Stryper. The better production does allow you to hear what a good singer Louie St August really is.
“Voices in the Night” takes a more metal direction on “Reach for the Sky” as we get some real power chords. It’s the rest of the band’s turn to shine here. Kevin Varrio and Joey Vadala prove what a great rhythm section they are together and Gene D’Itria hammers out the first of many great guitar solos. After that, things slow down as we get the first of two power ballads. In this case, it’s “Chance for Love.” We get more cool harmonizing and Louie doesn’t break a sweat with the change in vocals and Gene hammers out a great solo. It’s a good song but as far as Mass power ballads go, “Do You Love Me?” from the debut is by far their best one.
After that little lull, things go back to some more serious hard rocking on “Turn It All Around” and “Carry Your Heart.” Both are those fist pumping anthem type vibes with some more great harmonizing. They’re those songs you would want to hear played live, especially with the guitar solo as it fades out on “Carry Your Heart.” They go more melodic metal on “Miles Away.” Don’t be fooled by the melody here as it is backed up by some serious power chords. This one could be the hidden gem.
“Call Out Your Name” is the second power ballad on the album and at the beginning, while Louie is singing tenderly, it lures you in with the expectation of a power chord which doesn’t happen until the chorus. When the chords come, they really come and Gene nails the appropriate guitar solo and by now, the harmonizing is without question.
“Follow Me” gets you to do exactly that as it’s the first three songs of the hard rocking exit to the album. It’s nothing spectacular but it does the job, a good straight up rocker. “Staying Alive,” and no it’s not a Bee Gees cover, carries the torch as it’s a great metal tune. It too is a candidate for hidden gem. As for the closer, “Still of the Night,” I get the feeling that I’ve heard this one before but can’t find it. It doesn’t appear on the debut nor the 1988 EP, “Take You Home.” Then again, it doesn’t matter because it rocks the album out to the end.
Track Listing:
- Voices in the Night
- Nine Tonight
- Reach for the Sky
- Chance to Love
- Turn It All Around
- Carry Your Heart
- Miles Away
- Call Out Your Name
- Follow Me
- Staying Alive
- Still of the Night
Louie St. August- lead vocals
Gene D’Itria- guitar
Kevin Varrio- bass
Joey Vadala- drums
Michael Sweet- backing vocals
True, we could go for days listing great metal bands which escaped with little notice. Mass was certainly one of those bands who had the potential to go farther than they did. “Voices in the Night” showcased this band’s true potential.
Next post: I’m finally going to post about this compilation album which has contributed to some of the albums I’ve visited recently. Now is a good time because everyone from my employers to the supply teaching agencies I also work for to even the British American Football Referees, which is my hobby I get paid for, all want me to do courses and exams at the moment. So, now is the perfect time to post a compilation album and because the album has 30 songs and on vinyl has seven or eight on one side which are chapters, you will have:
Protect The Innocent: Part 1- The First Chapter
To buy Rock and Roll Children, email me at: tobychainsaw@hotmail.com
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