Exclusive Track Premiere: Rick Massie – Need
A regrettable irony of progressive metal is an assumption that everything fits within a certain mold. Implying that there is a specific way to make prog sets an uncomfortable assertion in a genre that, by and large, actively seeks to reject the norm. But to be progressive is to present something that feels fresh and unfamiliar, and in that arena, Whitehorse, Yukon’s own Rick Massie delivers. Inspired by acts such as Devin Townsend, Haken, Enslaved, Yes, Opeth, and Andrew W.K., this solo effort is intentionally unconstrained by genre expectation. Falling towards the ethereal end of the prog metal/rock spectrum, Rick’s songwriting does not follow any trends, and defies categorization. Indeed, the intent is to take metal music and give it free rein to wander far afield into non-metal pastures.
Rick Massie, in other words, is metal on Rick Massie’s terms.
Rick’s work is perpetually defined by an undercurrent of hope and love. In his words:
With so much negativity in the world, I want to shine a positive light, or at least a ray of hope, through the music I create. I think of many of the songs as soundtracks to the vast range of emotions of humans as they work through dark times. Getting from darkness to happiness usually involves a chaotic journey of emotions, from despair, to denial, to anger, to frustration, to progress, to hope, and maybe, eventually, happiness.
Today, GBHBL are pleased to bring you the exclusive premiere of his first single from his upcoming 2nd album. “Need” is a nearly 10 minute journey through darkness and hope, with many riffs and melodies that straddle the lines between prog metal, prog rock, doom and black metal.
Flowing more like a novel than a traditional song, “Need” takes listeners on a wide variety of dark musical paths before it reaches a hopeful and inspired resolution at the end. Choirs, orchestration, and vocal harmonies combine with intense drumming and roaring guitars to create the backdrop for vocals that go from serene to anguished.
Check it out below.
Rick Massie’s 2nd album will be released in early 2022.
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