Newzerror - Album Review: Behind The Mask 30 OCT 2023 // A REVIEW BY KERRY MB - MUZIC.NET.NZ

Newzerror is a powerhouse couple that combine atmospheric, melodic industrial metal.

Formed in 2021 and originally part of Bay of Plenty metal band, Ten Tonne Terror. Rick Walker (drums, guitar, bass) and his partner in crime, Dee Ellis (vocals, keyboard)

Newzerror - Album Review: Behind The Mask 30 OCT 2023 // A REVIEW BY KERRY MB - MUZIC.NET.NZ

Newzerror is a powerhouse couple that combine atmospheric, melodic industrial metal.

Formed in 2021 and originally part of Bay of Plenty metal band, Ten Tonne Terror. Rick Walker (drums, guitar, bass) and his partner in crime, Dee Ellis (vocals, keyboard) are no strangers to the metal circuit as musicians in former and current bands, Rick in 8Forty8 and Medusa Glare (performing with the latter since 2015) and Dee holding her own in numerous covers bands like Icefire (formally Fire & Ice) and Ignite.

Their debut single, You, was released in 2022 and this is their long-awaited debut album, Behind The Mask, and what a trip it is.

If you’re a fan of Devilskin, Rammstein, a hint of Nightwish and Tadpole (hear me out here) you’re in for a treat. Heavy on melody but taking no prisoners when it comes to meaty bass lines, heavy hitting drums and driving riffs. Combine that with an outstanding set of pipes from Dee Ellis, and you have something you know is going straight into your created playlists.

Playing on tension and atmospheric ambience before assaulting every sense you have; Alibi is a ripper to open with. If you’re not immediately headbanging and making faces, well, maybe you need to try again.

Infectious is exactly what Newzerror prescribes, but not just that, it’s the level of precision and solid musicianship too. This is some of the best industrial metal with this kind of melodic ferocity.

Bury Your Head and Twisted Tree are two other tracks that caught my attention. Going back to mentioning Tadpole. If you remember what a powerhouse of a band they were, Dee’s vocals remind me of Renee Brennan’s. Incredibly incendiary and amazing to listen to in any capacity. I love Dee’s power and control.

I couldn’t finish things off with mentioning the crushing self-titled, Behind The Mask. An absolute belter of a tune with those crashing riffs and heavy cymbals that create a driving tempo, only to switch things up. Rick takes lead on vocals here and packs exactly what is needed.

A stunning debut from Newzerror. What they have produced is nothing short of edge of your seat, solid music that is testament of a strong musical connection. I can’t wait to hear what’s next.