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HOLY MOTHER
Face This Burn
2021 Massacre Records

HOLY MOTHER has returned with their first album in over 17 years with Face This Burn. The album features a reunion of founding members and songwriters Mike Tirelli (vocals) and drummer James Harris, who haven’t recorded together since My World War (2000). They are joined by new guitarist Greg Giordano and bassist Russell Pzutto (DEE SNIDER).

HOLY MOTHER has more or less toiled in obscurity for the majority of their career. Their albums have been released on minor labels and are hard to find because of this. I’ve always found their sound to be mostly heavy, yet quirky, diverging from most of their power metal contemporaries. Mike Tirelli is a good singer, and his impassioned delivery is the main draw for me. I’m certainly a fan of his work with other bands, particularly MESSIAH'S KISS and BURNING STARR. Face This Burn is dedicated to former bassist Randy Coven, who passed away in 2014. This album features guest appearances from bassist Wayne Banks and guitarist Jason Banks of MESSIAH’S KISS on a few tracks.

Face This Burn consists of 11 tracks, clocking in around 42 minutes. Some of my favorite tracks include “Love Is Dead”, “Wake Up America”, “Mesmerized By Hate”, “Today”, “The River” and title track “Face This Burn” (video on KNAC.COM HERE). The pounding double bass and speed metal of “The River” and the aggression of “Love Is Dead” sounds most like what I want to hear from this band, and these two are my favorites on the album. Most HOLY MOTHER albums have included a cover song, and Face This Burn includes an unlikely cover of “Superstar” (made most famous by THE CARPENTERS and LUTHER VANDROSS), complete with piano. At first I didn’t know what to make of this cover, but then I remembered the band covered ELTON JOHN’s “Your Song” on their debut album. Honestly, they do a great job here, and the curve ball choice is cool as hell.

This is possibly the best sounding HOLY MOTHER album so far. There is a real depth and heaviness to the mix that cannot be denied. I’m glad the band is back, and I’m looking forward to hearing more from them in the future. Face This Burn will be released on February 12 on Massacre Records.

3.5 Out Of 5.0