Music Review
Band: Masque
Title: Peacekeeper (EP)

Industrial / Experimental

Masque is a two-man band from Scotland. They are signed with Topplers Records.

Masque’s ‘Peacekeeper’ EP, 2006, is chaos with a raw beat. They speak their political minds on this release; voicing concerns we all have and adding bits of humor here and there (to soften our fears for just a quick moment?).

At least we found humor in the ‘Induction’ where they start off with a joyous patriotic tune – one that suddenly stops dead in its tracks and is replaced by an ungodly amount of noise. Of course, after you start hearing the machine guns you stop thinking it’s humorous.

‘Let’s Play God’ provides a great pounding and lyrics with a powerful message. “Our operation, is global domination. This is not a rehearsal, there’ll be no reversal. Let’s play God.”

‘Just Believe What You’re Told’ has some Billy Bragg qualities to it. This song shows that Masque is diverse and can have a softer sound to them. Lyrics: “And now we live in an environment filled with suspicion and fear and the words terrorist and terrorism, are in every sentence I hear.”

‘Peacekeeper’ is our favorite tune on this EP. The beat rocks and although it is odd to want to dance to this song, we couldn’t help but dance. Lyrics: “Hitler, Stalin, I’m ten times worse, so you can grovel, and plead, and beg, and curse, but it’s too late, you’re booked for a date, I’ll bring some spite, and malice, and menace, and hate. Drop some bombs, I’m going to drop some bombs, I want to drop some bombs.”

Despite the intense clatter and hard-truth lyrics, Masque creates some beautiful music.

Make sure to also check their track, ‘Frankendoctor’ (off of their ‘Sometimes I Might’ EP, 2005). It was an instant hit with us. One reviewer of Masque’s first EP stated it perfectly:

“Post-Ministry electro-industrial synth sounds sung by the Proclaimers on crack. In an age of internationalization and linguistic regularization, the overt Scottishness of the lyrics is a breath of fresh air. Not one for Daily Mail readers.” –Shane Blanchard, TastyFanzine.com

Links:
Official Masque
Topplers Records

Other Topplers Records artists: Mr. Luggs, The Cult Figures, Steve Treatment, Olive’s Hairy Custard, Mong, Madness Of Crowds, ERS, The Decider!, Jowe Head, The Knockouts, The NoMen, Thomas Leer, Metal Urbain, & more.