| Musical Style: Melodic Metal | Produced By: Tony Platt |
| Record Label: Retroactive | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 1985/2025 | Artist Website: Mass |
| Tracks: 11 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: 43:06 |
Boston, Massachusetts based Mass is an eighties melodic metal and hard rock band situated at the intersection of heavier guitar driven fortitude and commercial pop aesthetics. Group’s 1985 RCA Records ‘unofficial’ debut full length New Birth draws upon both sides of the fence, distinctive to a brash if not brassy heavy metal sound indicative of its streetwise Boston roots but also with a palpable pop basis that echoes the musical sign of the times. Whereas not offering direct comparison, I see Kiss and Dokken (on one side,) and Stryper and Rage Of Angels (on the other) as potential musical points of reference.
Unofficial from standpoint of manner in which Mass first signed with A&M Records in the early eighties and shortly thereafter recorded its ‘official’ debut album, which unfortunately was shelved indefinitely due to bad relations between the label and bands management. The group spent the next several years tied up in the court system fighting its management prior to recording in 1984 a four song self-titled EP, which went on to sell a respectable 10k copies in the Boston area and led to it signing with RCA. Meaning behind the New Birth title distinguishes accordingly in literally referring to a ‘new beginning’ for the band.
Initially a vinyl and cassette release, New Birth was re-mastered (by J Powell at Steinhaus) and reissued in the digi-pak format in 2011 by Retroactive Records. A second CD reissue in May of 2025 also attributing to Retroactive features jewel case packaging (500 copies) and a limited edition band trading card. The July of 2025 Strawberry Jam vinyl version is limited to 200 copies. Rob Colwell (Bombworks Sound) contributes a fresh re-master, while Scott Waters (No Life Til Metal Graphics) the 16 page CD layout with lyrics, photo collage and write up from vocalist Louis St. August. Each version includes as a bonus track ballad “Endless Thoughts”, which was recorded during the New Birth sessions but not included with the original release.
When listened to alongside, I find the 2025 Colwell re-master to represent a slight upgrade over the 2011 version. It presents with a cleaner and fuller sound, allowing for better separation (even if minimally) of crisp keyboards, striking drums and transparent guitar leads. Low end delivers added punch as well.
Do not confuse Mass with a Christian band and New Birth a Christian album. However, liner notes find Mass thanking ‘God Almighty and His Son Jesus Christ’. Lyrics on several songs have a spiritual influence but otherwise focus on relationships and life from a positive standpoint.
“Too Far Gone” makes a fantastic high energy opener. It starts to a drum solo ahead of taking a heavy hitting stance, anthem-like in terms of the unalloyed vim emanating from its refrain but snarling from the gritty emphasis of its pronounced low end (noting Joey Vadala’s explosive timekeeping). Gene D'ltria builds upon the verve with his spirited soloing. Lyric snippet:
They tried to turn me into a clown
A jester, juggler a fool
I’m no one’s puppet, I screamed aloud
But there was nothing I could do
Too far gone – I’m too far gone
Here come the angels, flying high above
They try to keep me from falling
Now it’s too late, my time has come
The devil’s here and he’s calling, calling
“Crying Alone” backs from some of the preceding heaviness for a slower melodic hard rock rooted sound. Quality is of a congruent level, established in the immaculate guitar melodies and ascending keyboards speaking of refined AOR. Of note are the at times high end and soaring, and others pebbly vocal abilities of Louis St. August.
Follow up cut “Time” carries over the mid-paced melodic components. Keyboards continue to play a forthright role, as does a plentiful melody - the radio friendly chorus hook refuses to recede - with a more commercial side to the Mass songwriting revealed in the process. Credit to John Sinclair for the skillful additional keyboard work (as noted in the albums liner notes). Lyric snippet:
The road ahead is lonely when no one’s around
Still, I wait for the sun to come shining down
Leaving this heavy weight, that’s down on me
Don’t you know heaven waits, why can’t you see?
Time again, will take all my sorrows away
I can’t hold on for one more single day
Something’s gone wrong
I can’t see the light
“Back To Me” returns to velocity driven territory. Up-tempo manifest, song brings exuberance of a youthful variety with its fleet celerity, jittery bass and boisterous hooks. Lone misgiving is that it gets a bit repetitious as the chorus continuously repeats over the final minute- again and again and again. Still, it is a solid piece and fine effort.
Ballad “Do You Love Me” closes albums first side. According to St. August’s write up, the 45 single for “Do You Love Me” sold in excess of 40k copies and propelled Mass into the limelight with airplay on East Coast radio stations and a popular MTV video. Musically, it evokes a lighter touch as piano, keyboards and acoustic guitar join with lustrous backing vocals to bolster the endearing melody to persuade. It is more than deserving of the accolades it received.
As much as I enjoy albums first half, in my opinion second is home to its better material. Consider in this capacity “New Birth”, a boisterous straight on metal track edged with headstrong momentum, intractable hooks and all the high-strung liveliness you could ask. Joey “Vee” Vadala dominates with his hyper-accelerated timekeeping. Lyric snippet:
Come lay here beside me, lay your weary head
I need someone to find me, like a script that’s left unread
Reaching out for each other, help those people in need
Please feel for your brother, don’t sit and watch him bleed
People out in the streets, come let’s join our hands
For together will build ourselves a New Birth
New Birth – Seconds come first
Time for a New, New Birth
“Left Behind” maintains the daring form. It might not be quite expeditious as albums title track, delivering a wallop all the same with its impacting low end, but also not deserting the perceptible, as established in the buffeting hooks to decree. This one proves Mass is at its best when heaviest. Lyric snippet:
Look deep to the mirror
Reflections changing day by day
Some losers, some winners, and a piper who wants to be paid
There’s a strange kind of reason in the man who says he’s on your side
But who can you believe in
When all he does is skin you alive
Leaving all we had behind
Nothing else was lost but time
Likewise, albums finest cut “Voyager (Look For The Edge)”. Song opens to an operatic falsetto from St. August prior to launching ahead, almost power metal attuned as rapid fire double kick drum and vitality driven refrain anchor the exuberant, youthful energy that refuses to let go. The all out explosiveness hints of Paradox. Lyric snippet:
Beneath the clouds we fight the sea
The captain’s dream is to fill our destiny
May God be with you and by your side
On this sail of Satan’s evil ride
To the center of the earth
To the middle of the world
To find the truth of which we have heard
Though our journeys long our ship is strong
As the men that sail aboard her
The power above watches over us
As the forces that rock the sea
After three consecutive heavy hitters, album settles down for its second ballad, “Day Without You”. It takes a heavier stance than “Do You Love Me”, with a full complement of moving rhythm guitar sustaining the expressive underpinnings alluding of the radio friendly. St. August’s endearing vocal performance complements the songs ascending aura.
“Watch Her Walk” is a short (three and half minute) but rambunctious boogie flavored hard rocker. Triggered by a terse drum solo, song scurries its span to rapid-fire incentive and distinguished hooks as the group’s rhythm section plays a feverish role. This one proves a fitting end to a (mostly) animated but high quality albums second half.
Bonus track “Endless Thoughts” is another ballad that while not quite on the same level as “Do You Love Me” and “Day Without You” is solid nonetheless with a taciturn touch and felicitous melody. Production wise, it betrays a hint of muddiness (albeit sounding far from bad) compared to its New Birth cohorts, which leads me to believe it is a demo rendering. Still, quality is such that as a bonus track it more than deserves its place.
Two months into the New Birth tour and the groups momentum ended up cut short again due to management issues, which led to it spending the next two years in court and ultimately filing for bankruptcy. If Mass had been able to continue the tour and release another video, the ceiling of its potential was near unlimited. Good news is that the group went on to a productive career, following up four years later with the Michael Sweet produced Voices In The Night ahead of releasing three additional albums following the turn of the century. The group even obtained the rites to the album it recorded for A&M and released it in 2010 on Retroactive under the title Fighter. Of note is how Fighter includes four songs rerecorded for New Birth in “Watch Her Walk”, “Too Far Gone”, “Do You Love Me” and “Voyager (Look For The Edge)”.
If interested in the definitive version to New Birth look no further than the 2025 Retroactive reissue to include improved re-mastering and upgraded packaging. Album presents with ten good songs and a solid bonus track in featuring strengths in terms of vocals, musicianship and production. If a fan of Mass or eighties metal and hard rock, I encourage making the New Birth reissue along with Fighter priority purchases.
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: “Too Far Gone” (3:55), “Crying Alone” (4:24), “Time” (3:44), “Back To Me” (4:24), “Do You Love Me” (3:39), “New Birth” (3:45), “Left Behind” (2:54), “Voyager (Look For The Edge)” (4:07), “Day Without You” (4:14), “Watch Her Walk” (3:40), “Endless Thoughts” (4:17)
Musicians
Louis St. August - Lead Vocals
Gene D’ltria - Guitars
Kevin Varrio - Bass
Joey “Vee” Vadala - Drums
Additional Musicians
John Sinclair - Keyboards
