(written by Islander)
Today we’re premiering both a hard-hitting new song from the New Jersey-based metal band Mass Punishment and a hair-raising video for it. The name is “Enemy Within“.
This new song follows on the heels of the band’s latest album, Proving Grounds Devastation, which was released last fall. Mass Punishment describe the theme of the song this way: “When you are infiltrated by those who seek to hold you back, cause you harm and celebrate your failures. Face your enemy within, and conquer them.”
To help represent this theme, the video (filmed with cameraman and director Marc Petrick) follows a day in the life of Mass Punishment vocalist Erick “Maverick” Laurino. As summarized by the band:
“Dealing with an eviction notice, disrespectful people on the road, at the gym & a bar following a scuffle in the street by a gang of extreme protesters blocking the road. This pushes Maverick to the breaking point. When he snaps he makes his way back to the bar where he takes the ultimate revenge. At the end is finally when you get a glimpse at the band performing the last minute of the song.”
The song is dark and heavy as hell from the very beginning, brutally building tension through neck-whipping beats, a jolting riff that’s abrading in tone, shrill ethereal emanations, and an absolutely blistering scream. From there the music both boils in the high end and bludgeons down below, as Maverick furiously expels the lyrics through harrowing screams, inflamed yells, and monstrous roars.
Other facets of the song emerge — the bass is noticeably nimble as well as gut-slugging; the vocals soar in song, providing a striking counterpoint to the rage; the riffing deliriously writhes and strings shriek; and as the pace slows the music hits a low point of darkness (in the video’s most violent episode) and atonally pounds like an enormous pile-driver.
Mass Punishment ramp up the energy again after that harrowing interlude, raging and raking again, blaring and burning, but they also administer a closing dose of brute-force punishment and double-bass fever.
For those folks new to Mass Punishment, it came to life from the mind of Chris “Axe” Milos after he returned to the United States from serving in the Army and fighting on the front lines in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He joined forces with vocalist Maverick, and they then brought in bassist Ed “Arc” Angel to complete the lineup. Chris explains their motivation:
“We grew up on the best metal bands of our time. The metal bands that had gone against the grain and fought the norm of society. Those who’ve paved the way and put metal on the map that wouldn’t allow heavy metal to be swept under the carpet. Our music has influence from many bands such as but not limited to Pantera, Slayer, Fear Factory, Megadeth, Anthrax, Iron Maiden, Korn, Emmure, Slipknot, and Soulfly.”
“Lyrically and musically our songs are of current events, civilization, our societies around the world being divided, conquered and destroyed. The need to unite people and find peace through understanding and compromise or the absolute destruction of us all.”
Mass Punishment are now signed with WormHoleDeath Records and are recording a new EP while also looking to expand their footprint through tours both inside and outside the U.S. For more info and music, check the links below.
MASS PUNISHMENT:
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/masspunishment
Official: https://masspunishmentofficial.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/17NqxdQUvjuOaKNHchW02B?si=NtyxW6rlQZiBbN2-oRJ9AA