M.Z. - Blood Is Life (2000)Brennus Music

This French band's name can seem to be very atypical on the face of it, but it's actually very logical as there are initials of its founders: Marc Fortunato (bass guitar, keys) and Zan Kazuya Dang (lead guitars, keys). Instrumental debut album was recorded year after its founding in two-member line-up as above.

It will be non-standard review, because I gonna start with release's production. Well, I must admit that its sound is a bit muffled and reminds me of some stuffs from Asia or South America. I am not sure how to perceive it properly, since I remember the case of Yngwie Malmsteen's "War To End All Wars" which production was also very rough. One can enjoys it, another one rejects, so it depends on your personal hearpoint, haha. Stepping forward to M.Z.'s music, it's undoubtedly lofty, mysterious, majestic, and its virtuosity inside gives a nobleness to it. Here are enough complex keys lines as a background against the lead guitars. Most of tracks are very lyrical, calm and played in minor keys. It causes that a kind of tension is steadily noticeable. Obviously, there are also neoclassical power metal storms ("Silver Hairs") and neoclassical shredding hurricanes ("Shadow Glare"). Generally writing, "Blood Is Life" includes a quiet sort of neoclassical metal, but you will be able to find here some lively, joyful, wonderful and fabulous fragments. I think that some awe moments would be fit to horror movies. It's not a joke! Sometimes there are so dark fragments that I would be willing to call them neoclassical horror metal, haha. But what about instrumentalists' styles. As far as Zan is concerned, I can honestly compare his guitar manner to Gonzalo Solgarian of Kapel Maister and a duo Tony Yaspan-Sc. Classical of Nathania. Marcus' bass playing is very solid as well and his performance is most audible in a distinct solo part in the last composition. Both Gentlemen have showed their composing sense in this music genre.

If you like neoclassical and shredding styles, vibrato and tapping techniques, you will find them here bit by bit. In my humble opinion, the stuff is enough decent to be re-recorded or just mixed again to emphasize instrumental details hidden behind its rough production. On the other hand, "Blood Is Life" is beyond reproach as regards artistic level. If you aren't deterred by neoclassical metal with an unsmooth sound, I don't notice any obstacles to supply your collection with this item.