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Mass came from Boston, MA in the height of 80's metal mania. They released their first self titled album in 1985 after some legal problems under their original name Axes. "Mass" was recorded at the infamous Record Plant in NY but has yet to see release on CD. Unfortunately the band has been plagued with bad record deals and poor promotions. Despite this, the band is still together almost 20 years after it's inception still cranking out quality heavy metal. MASS is: Gene D'itria: Guitars, Joey "Vee" Vadala: Drums, Louis D' Augusta: Vocals and new bassist Michael Palumbo: Bass who replaced original bassist Kevin Varrio.

Mass (Mass Music) 1985

1. "Looking Good"
2. "Pedal to the Metal"
3. "Holy One"
4. "Still of the Night"

The original four song EP released by the band has never been pressed to CD, although a few tracks made it to the "Best Ones" CD (see below.) I have an original sealed copy of this record. From what I have been told, in Europe and Germany this record is worth upwards of $200. Ouch!

Mass - New Birth (RCA) 1985

1. "Too Far Gone" (3:56)
2. "Crying Alone" (4:25)
3. "Time" (3:44)
4. "Back To Me" (4:24)
5. "Do You Love Me" (3:40)
6. "New Birth" (3:49)
7. "Left Behind" (2:55)
8. "Voyager (Look for the Edge)" (4:07)
9. "Day Without You" (4:23)
10. "Watch Her Walk" (3:40)
BONUS TRACK
11. "Endless Thoughts" (4:24)

Originally released on cassette and vinyl in 1985 on RCA Records, this album was nearly impossible to find through the 1990's up until 2007 when Retrospect Records in Las Vegas, NV finally put out a legitimate CD reissue. Musically, "New Birth" may be the heaviest Mass album. Just 100% heavy metal with a bad-ass, Boston attitude. There is a slight pop influence that runs throughout, but it's more in line with bands like Kiss, Starz or Sweet, than the bubblegum pop of the mid-to-late 1980's. Vocalist Louie St. August has a high, soaring vocal style that is perfect for this style of melodic heavy metal. There are a couple of ballad-type songs. "Do You Love Me" is a ballad that is pretty typical for an 80's metal band. Also, "Endless Thoughts", a track that was originally recorded for "New Birth" but never used on the album is also a ballad. Personally I like a ballad every now and then, so this doesn't bother me. Some metal purists seem to think it's a crime against the Almighty Name of Heavy Metal to record a ballad. "Do You Love Me" was the single for his album and did relatively well for the band, even getting them some play on MTV. However, it's the heavier material that I am most interested in. The title track, "Too Far Gone" and "Crying Alone" feature some smokin' guitar work, pounding drums and plenty of aggression. The album was produced by Tony Platt who had worked with bands such as Uriah Heep, AC/DC, Motorhead and Iron Maiden, so "New Birth" is actually produced better than a lot of other lesser known metal bands from the mid-80's.

The Retrospective re-issue contains all ten of the original tracks, a bonus track from the same recording sessions, and a decent booklet that includes lyrics, a couple black & white promo photos and a note from vocalist Louie St. August. The title track, "New Birth"; minor hit "Do You Love Me"; and final track, "Watch Her Walk," were all re-released on the CD Best Ones.

It should also be noted that Mass are not a Christian band, which they seem to get mislabeled all the time. The title "New Birth" comes from the fact that Mass were starting over, after originally recording an album under the name Axes with Tom Almon, that was scrapped and never released. Apparently it was a horrid experience for the band and thus the new album was a "New Birth". As for the lyrical direction, see the interview below by Louie which clearly shows the band is not a Christian band, while at the same time, not being anti-Christian either.

Mass-Take You Home (Medussa) 1988

1. "Pedal to the Metal" (3:46)
2. "Can't Get Enough" (3:02)
3. "Want It Back" (2:59)
4. "Over You" (4:02)
5. "Take You Home" (2:55)
6. "Holy One" (6:04)

A VERY difficult CD. to find. This darned little EP sells consistently for over $30 on eBay. I finally got this copy from a very generous trader named Andrew who was "getting rid of any secular music." OK! It took one indie CD. and a couple of old Christian metal demos to get it, but it's worth it. 1980's heavy metal with smooth as silk vocals. Gotta love it. Still have my vinyl copy of this as well.

Mass-Voices in the Night (Enigma) 1989

1. "Voices in the Night" (3:51)
2. "Nine Tonight" (2:52)
3. "Reach for the Sky" (4:29)
4. "Chance to Love" (4:03)
5. "Turn it All Around" (3:39)
6. "Carry Your Heart" (3:49)
7. "Miles Away" (3:48)
8. "Follow Me" (3:11)
9. "Call Out Your Name" (3:44)
10. "Staying Alive" (3:31)
CD. bonus track
11. "Still of the Night" (3:04)

"Voices in the Night" was produced by Michael Sweet (Stryper). The music is very similar in style to Stryper, especially the glossy production. 1980's heavy metal with those syrupy, sticky Sweet lyrics. You either loved it or hated it. I loved it and still like it to this day. Bought this on cassette as a new release. It took me forever to find a copy on CD. but I finally managed to get it in a trade with a guy from Canada. Didn't find out until the disc arrived that the CD. has an extra track that my crappy cassette didn't have.

Mass-Best Ones (fore reel) 2000

1. "Looking Good" (3:30)
2. "Pedal to the Metal" (3:47)
3. "Holy One" (6:04)
4. "New Birth" (3:50)
5. "Crying Alone" (4:28)
6. "Do You Love Me" (3:26)
7. "Watch Her Walk" (3:44)
8. "Take You Home" (2:55)
9. "Over You" (4:02)
10. "Voices in the Night" (3:50)
11. "Reach for the Sky" (4:30)
12. "Chance to Love" (3:59)
13. "Turn it All Around" (3:39)
14. "Bad Man's Reputation" (3:52)
15. "Who Am I" (4:34)
16. "Seven Days" (4:38)

I had assumed that these guys had given up years ago, but apparently they have not. According to the liner notes, the band is working on a new studio album and never really broke up. "Best Ones" is an anthology of the band that includes songs from all four of their albums as well as two new songs, and the never before released "Bad Man's Reputation" from a recording session when the band was called Axes. The two new songs are from their "forthcoming" album. With the exception of the "Take You Home" and "Voices in the Night" material, this is the first time much of this material has seen the light of day on CD. "Best Ones" is a good career retrospective of a band who has toughed it out in the metal underground since the early 80's and is a good listen all the way through.

My dear friend Olaf asked vocalist Louis D' Augusta some questions about the band's lyrical approach. Here is what he had to say:

Being the vocalist for the band, I write 90% of the lyrics and melodies. Gene and the rest of the guys usually write the music, so a lot of the lyrics have to do with me personally. Since our latest release is BEST ONES here is a little info about some of the songs on this release:
1. Looking Good- the adventures of young love.
2. Pedal to the Metal- cruising the beach with my friends.
3. Holy One- Good vs. Evil with good always prevailing. Dedicated to an "old manager".
4. New Birth- Lots of new things in my life, new record, new wife, new baby, therefore......New Birth.
5. Crying Alone- Searching for love.
6. Do You Love Me- question to my first wife, poppy song, lyrics are self explanatory.
7. Watch Her Walk- Gene and I wrote this song down in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida during Spring Break. Lyrics self explanatory.
8. Take You Home- Boy meets girl at club, wants to resume party at home.
9. Over You- This is the beginning of the end of (a) relationship with (my) wife.
10. Voices in the Night- This song is about me on stage being sad during the day and cannot wait to perform during the night thus hearing the voices. During the whole recording of this record, I was going through a stressful time in my life. I was going through a divorce, so a lot of the lyrics may coincide with my feelings. Ex. "Chance to Love."
11. Reach for the Sky- This song is basically a positive uplifting song with overtures to asking God for help and guidance.
12. Turn it all Around- Lyrics are self explanatory about the band MASS and what we were going through. This is our third time and there ain't no striking out, we've got to grab the golden ring! The third time meant our third record contact which did end in bankruptcy. Still searching for the golden ring.
13. Bad Man's Reputation- This song is one of the songs of the A&M record which was never released and once again written about an ex-manager.
14. Who Am I? - This song basically is about the confusion of choosing to work a 9 -5 job or being a rock musician.
15. Seven Days - Playful song about getting betrayed by a woman thinking it was love.

Hopefully this will answer some of your questions. I do try to write positive and uplifting songs. Do believe in God the Almighty but do not try to preach in my songs but I do try to send a positive message and hopefully they will figure it out.

Louis D' Augusta

Mass - Crack of Dawn (Frontiers) 2007 1. "It's You" (4:47) 2. "Crack of Dawn" (3:40) 3. "Someday" (4:47) 4. "Empty Soul" (3:15) 5. "Hello" (4:31) 6. "Magic Train" (5:01) 7. "Monkey Brain" (3:00) 8. "Sweet Lady Jane" (3:30) 9. "Seven Days" (4:49) 10. "Leaving You" (4:37) 11. "Castle" (4:27) 12. "Who Am I?" (4:31)

Mass 2007

Mass was formed in 1980 and took its name from the place of its birth, Massachusetts. Since that time, the band had released 5 albums in the 80’s of which "Voiced in the Night" ('89) is probably the most well-known, thanks in part to it being produced by Stryper's Micheal Sweet. Oddly enough, despite the band never disbanding and continuing to perform live through the 1990's, they never released an album during that period. In 2000 a best of release finally emerged containing two new songs. These new songs were said to be previews of the new CD. Well, seven years later and that new album finally appeared. Both new songs from "Best Ones" made it onto "Crack of Dawn", although "Seven Days" is listed as a bonus track. I am not sure why as it's placed in the middle of the track listing and seems to be on all versions of the CD, as far as I know. Unlike some of Mass' past releases, this one didn't hit me over the head immediately. It took me several listens to begin to really appreciate the subtle hooks and quality musicianship that the album offers. My favorite tracks are some of the heavier numbers. "Empty Soul" is one of the heaviest songs I've ever heard from Mass. This song is full-throttle, traditional heavy metal and one of the band's finest. The only minor flaw in the song is that in the middle I expected a big lead guitar break, but there was no lead to be found. "Magic Train" is a similarly heavy song with some harmonica work that gives the song a slight Southern rock feel, much like Blackfoot. "Monkey Brain", with it's odd title, will probably be a concert staple for years to come with it's somewhat silly, sing-along chorus. "Sweet Lady Jane" and "Leaving You" sound like they could have been written for the band's 1985 release "New Birth", although both are given a more modern sound due to the modern recording. The production throughout is quite good, with a modern recording that offers beefy guitar tones and a clear recording. One of the mellower moments is "Hello" which is an acoustic guitar driven song. This track has a big '70's vibe and offers a bit of variety to the otherwise hard rockin' album. Louis D’Augusta smooth, high voice is still and important part of this bands sound. He bears some resemblance to singers like Tony Harnel, Frank DiMino or even Boston's Brad Delp, but has a unique sound as well. I doubt anyone would confuse Louis for any other singer. The overall sound of the album isn't that far off from what you would expect from Mass. Thankfully they didn't try to update their sound and follow any musical trends. Mass have stuck to their musical guns and have released a solid slab of hard rock and heavy metal.

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