MÁSFÉL

Masfel are/were a Hungarian experimental band that seemed to cross boundaries between modern heavy industrial, classical (cellos), heavy jazz, gothic and even touches of Zeuhl. I say Zeuhl because this album reminds me at parts of Dun/Eros and Eskaton (4-visions) with the bombastic thundering rhythmic bass/percussions that is in the foreground.

This album features the georgeous Eszter Salamon on the cello. Very gothic lady who reminds me of winona ryder in Beetlejuice. Amidst thundering bass and electric saxophone (which is super cool with echo effects) and heavy guitar are her haunting eastern european classical cello riffs (not unlike After Crying on their Mez E Mez.. album).

Although without any vocals, this album is just as bombastic (if not more) than anything Zuehl I've ever heard by Dun, Eskaton, etc..

If you play bass and really want to hear some intense/relentless rhythms that never let up from beginning to end, this album is for you. The saxophone player is killer and he seems to play an electric sounding saxophone which seems to have reverb and echo. It's pretty cool. I'm always exhausted after the first few songs. They don't call this album catastrophe for a reason. Unlike other bombastic albums that meander to nowhere land (like ThrakAttack by King Crimson), this album has a purpose to each of the tracks and takes you on a journey to the world of hypnotic instanity and an all out attack on the senses. May not be for everyone but there's no denying this album is unforgettable.

I like 70's stuff the best but I have to admit, this is interesting heavy prog.

A track on this album. If you don't like this track, it's best to skip it.

youtu.be/q2g4sdibOQc?list=PLCORz7m66DTWlBfOY0ptZrlYGmlcSNeZC

On this early album band plays hyperactive jazz rock with many Hungarian folk inclusions,very groovy,with great drumming and guitar. But main hero of this album is sax player Lukács Levente. He is main soloist on all compositions, and his interplays with screaming guitar are really excellent. But even more - he leads all melodic line and contours every note of the compositions! Early Passport releases with Klaus Doldinger come in mind when listen that great music!

Drummer is jazzy, but guitarist plays real rock, so in all music is more rock, than jazz there. Having funky pulsation under the skin, music is really very positive and radiates energy. From all my experience, I believe Masfel is possibly one of leading Central European jazz-rock band (their later releases are more filled with electronics and have strong psychedelic flavour).

This album could be almost named as masterpiece, but there is a serious problem - compositions. I believe you will really enjoy of every minute of musicianship, but will hardly remember any composition, even more - all them sound as one long and great jam.

My rating is 3,5,rounded to 4 - for excellent musicianship!

All of the musicians are superb, but I really enjoy saxophonist Levente Lukac, who often double tracks his saxophones to get that old school 50s rock sound that was also utilized by 70s prog- rockers like King Crimson, Passport and Roxy Music. The use of the saxophones as well as some raw rockin elements keep Masfel from sounding plastic and overly digital, a problem that plagues many bands that try to create a live electronica sound. Occasional vocals from Gaya Arutjunjan add an exotic element that reflects her East European singing style. There is a lot of joy and kinetic vibes to this energetic band and I bet they are a blast to see live.