Spains Frenzy will put you into a frenzy with their storming new album ‘Of Hoods And Masks.’ Get ready for a slab of pure face melting heavy metal at its finest!

Frenzy, the Heavy Metal and Comic Book fanatics
band from Spain is finally back. Born in 2016 after Steel Horse split up, Anthony Stephen and Angel Muñoz “Choco” started the band with shredder Luis Pinedo.

Lethal Protector, their first EP was highly acclaimed as one of the best releases by a newcomer in Europe, taking them to play in festivals like Pounding Metal Fest, Heavy Sound in Belgium or the Heavy Metal Maniacs in The Netherlands.

Their first full length “Blind Justice” was another success including many more live dates and countries to be visited including the Harder Than Steel fest in Germany, South Bangers, Mediterranean Metal Maniacs…

After a successful European tour at the end of 2019 with their fellow countrymen, Hitten, Frenzy had everything lined up just right, a new album in the works, great opportunities on the horizon… and then 2020 reared its ugly head.

Just as we were finally emerging from the COVID crisis in late 2021, with the new album already recorded and plans for the release were in progress… tragedy struck the Frenzy camp. Guitar player Luis Pinedo suffered a major motorcycle accident.

But, as you all know, Heavy Metal never surrenders, so neither did Luis and Frenzy. After a long rehabilitation, he is now ready to play live again and the band is releasing the new album, titled “Of Hoods and Masks”, a new milestone in Frenzy’s career, featuring 9 tracks, 7 of them are a conceptual approach inspired by the story of the graphic novel Watchmen.

-Frenzy 2023

Review

We start of the new album with One Minute Closer To… which is purely an instrumental intro track. A clock ticking provides the backbone while our ears are fed haunting and echoing guitars that seem to drift of into the distance. The solo lead guitar picks up its intensity with fast picking which leads out the instrumental. Short and simple not giving away too much as to what to expect on the rest of the album.

The Doomsday breaks down the walls with a tasty panned riff to open before a solo lead comes sweeping in throwing itself around. Anthony Allen jumps in with his rich and classic vocals delivering passion in his lines. Punch the air and prepare to head bang as this up tempo number roars like an old fighter engine spitting fire. The chorus is particularly catchy and will have you singing along with lines like ‘one minute closer to the doomsday.’ I love the solo scaling like it has a fever shooting up and the tones the band have chosen for the guitars really give the music edge and that oldskool feel.

Where Is the Joke is next up and the track opens with a slightly palm muted riff that twangs and gently sings before transition into a full on charge with quick drum patterns delivered by Pablo and great rhythm guitar ideas. The song like many on this album has plenty of moments where you will want to join in singing your heart out. But the highlight of the sing is definitely the solo by far. The solo pretty much half way through ignites like a rocket shooting off and exploding in the sky. Luis and Billy show off with insane harmonised shredding, where you can feel the heat and see the steam rise. Exceptionally delivered with precision. ‘Where is the Joke‘ then continues with more catchy singing and burning riffs to carry out the song!

Spectre of Love fires up with a slow 4/4 drum pattern layered by a a scorching guitar melody, full of hunger and thirst. The music then slides into a verse which is stripped back to barely there guitars and Anthony Allens vocals taking centre stage. This pacing continues for a while with small bolts of charge being gradually injected into the guitars. Then all of a sudden the pedal is put to the metal and music picks up. ‘Spectre of Love‘ comes at your with a some delicious riffs before before taking off with fast picking guitar fury. Anthony Allen reaches the clouds with his illustrious vocal lines while more fiery riffs weave in and out of the music. Another killer song!

Uncompromised is another great example of a song from this album that has plenty of variety and texture. Luis and Billy are talented guitarists showing off their exceptional playing abilities while the band as a whole know how to deliver on writing interesting song structures that feel exciting every second. A force not to be messed as guitars thunder towards you delivering on riffs that harmonise and compliment one another in all the right places. Dropping back to mellow and loving passages of sweet and delicate notes is common place through out the song, sitting between sections that drip fuel as the beastly rhythms rev and roar. Toasted with moments of soaring solos and this song stands to be one of the strongest on the album so far.

Betrayal in Cold Blood is dark and brooding with tones giving the music almost an eerie and atmospheric feel. It is almost pumped up with some classic metal riffs that will tear you apart. Part way through, acoustic guitars sail in like you are floating through a sea of stars. Delicate ride taps add to the soft and warming breakdown section before the solo section hits the ground running hard and ferociously. In my opinion, I can not help but feel that at some very brief moments the guitar riffs have an old skool thrash vibe that you would expect from the likes of Megadeth. The attitude and angst that ‘Betrayal in Cold Blood‘ is soaked in makes this a seriously killer track.

Fear the Hood trudges across the barren land like a creature hunting for something to chew on. This monster of a song is a true stomper foaming at the mouth. The bass chugs of Chocko chug along in the background while the drums swing and swagger and the guitars rock and roll with flair. The song feels like heatwaves that mask burning sands. Full of sweating guitars dripping from the heat they give off. If you want a song that is big, bold and full of punch take a listen to ‘Fear the Hood.’

Living in Oz (Rick Springfield Cover) comes as a nice and pleasing surprise. The song is an interesting choice for a cover but fits perfectly with the rest the album. Its uplifting and bright feel adds to its great delivery and for those who are familiar with Rick Springfield will be more than satisfied.

Finally we come to the album closer ‘Give Me Shred (Or Give Me Death)‘ and this menacing track burns the tarmac as it thunders along the long dusted road. Imagine a a Harley storming at 100 miles an hour, engines screams cutting through the skies. Punk beats and double kick drums will pummel your ear drums while the guitar licks will shred the skin of your back. This is song stacked full of meaty riffs, flavoursome notes and a rhythm section that will knock down anything in its way. An excellent finisher!

Conclusion

This is my first time listening to Frenzy and I must say what a band. These guys are super talented song writers who are able to deliver on all fronts. From well written song structures that are full of interest and intrigue to guitar solos that are like bolts of lightning you will not be disappointed with ‘Of Hoods And Masks!’ Give this a listen and be prepared for some pure heavy metal that will make you melt!

THENWOTHM SCORE: 9/10

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