Death Mask Messiah is the sixth album from the German Thrash Metal band Exumer. I don’t claim to be an expert of the band’s history but it seems to me that they’ve had two runs. The first was during the mid to late 80s. Their first two albums Possessed by Fire and Rising from the Sea was released in 1986 and 1987. Then they went silent, at least as far as new album releases are concerned until 2012 when Fire and Damnation was released. It was about then I discovered them and liked what I heard.
I haven’t exactly followed their every step or release since then. Exumer seems to be one of those bands that are over shadowed by other bands for some reason. I think I’ve compared them to Kreator and Slayer in the past, somewhat lighter in the musical direction though. But this album – Death Mask Messiah is at least less violent and brutal and more melodic which I like. This without really giving up any part of the thrash.
The melodies are strong and the hooks do their job in an excellent way! It’s very easy to get into the music already during the first or second playthrough. It’s hard and heavy but still with an edge that I imagine would pull even the less die hard Thrash Metal fans in.
