by Justin Gaines
– Sr. Columnist —
Swedish melodic rockers Dynazty raised a lot of eyebrows when they reinvented themselves as a Heavy Metal band for their 2014 album Renatus. They went from playing Hardcore Superstar/Crashdiet-style Sleaze Rock to a much harder-hitting (yet still melodic) Metal sound. The change paid off, bringing the band a whole new array of fans. Expectations were high going into their latest album. Would Dynazty pivot back to their early sound, and if not, could they possibly top the addictive monster that was Renatus?
Titanic Mass is Dynazty’s fifth studio album, and it’s abundantly clear right from the start that the Renatus sound hasn’t gone anywhere. If anything, Dynazty has perfected that sound. Titanic Mass is one ultra-catchy, heavy as hell Metal song after another, and every tune is designed to get you banging your head and singing along. Think Amaranthe, minus the growled and female vocals. The combination of razor-sharp hooks, pounding rhythms and an almost poppy atmosphere works brilliantly, resulting in an album that is unbelievably catchy. Nils Molin’s powerful, pristine vocals also stand out, as does Peter Tagtgren’s production job.
Titanic Mass has eleven songs, and they’re all killer. Album opener “The Human Paradox” kicks things off on a heavy note, and the one-two punch of “Roar of the Underdog” and the title track keep you hooked early on. The second half of the album is strong too, with “The Beast Inside,” “Free Man’s Anthem” and “The Smoking Gun” leaving you ready to hit play the second the album ends. There are no duds here, so any given track could become your new favorite song.
Dynazty has proven that lightning can indeed strike twice. Titanic Mass has everything that worked so well on Renatus, only stronger, catchier and more memorable. This is the kind of album that you instantly know you’re going to have on steady rotation for a long time. Fans of Amaranthe in particular ought to love this album, but Titanic Mass is recommended to anyone who likes their metal as catchy as it is heavy.
Genre: Heavy Metal, Melodic Metal, Melodic Hard Rock, Hard Rock
Lineup:
Nils Molin (v)
Love Magnusson (g) (v)
Mikael Laver (g) (v)
Georg Harnsten Egg (d) (v)
Jonathan Olsson (b) (v)
Track Listing:
1. The Human Paradox
2. Untamer of Your Soul
3. Roar of the Underdog
4. Titanic Mass
5. Keys to Paradise
6. I Want to Live Forever
7. The Beast Inside
8. Break Into the Wild
9. Crack in the Shell
10. Free Man’s Anthem
11. The Smoking Gun
Label: Spinefarm Records
Website: www.dynazty.com
Hardrock Haven Rating: 9/10
