Mike Masser is back, and he’s not wasting any time with pleasantries. After a four-year break from releasing music, the hard rock veteran returns with “5,” a calculated comeback album.
“Four years of waiting and one hell of a comeback album to show for it.”
Masser has always been the kind of artist who wears his heart on his sleeve, even when that sleeve is attached to a leather jacket covered in band patches. His previous work earned him a dedicated fanbase who appreciated his unfiltered approach to rock. With “5,” he picks up right where he left off, but there’s a weight to this album that wasn’t there before. Four years is a long time, and clearly, a lot has happened.
This isn’t your regular hard rock record filled with generic rebellion and empty posturing. “5” is deeply personal as Masser opens up about losing his best friend, watching his father struggle with Alzheimer’s, and everything in between. Masser leans into these tough topics, turning grief and frustration into fuel for some of the most emotionally charged rock music you’ll hear this year.
Masser also throws in three cover songs that he’s completely reimagined with his own edge. These don’t serve as filler tracks but rather carefully chosen covers that were reworked to fit naturally alongside the original tracks. The production of the album keeps things neat and punchy. This is a record made by someone who understands that sometimes less is more. The guitars are heavy and distorted in all the right ways, the drums bang with purpose, and Masser’s vocals range from gravelly whispers to full-throated screams depending on what the moment calls for.
“5” is worth your time because it is loud enough to satisfy your need for heavy guitars, but thoughtful enough to keep you coming back after the initial rush wears off. This is rock and roll for people who want their music to mean something, who want to feel it and not just hear it.
Muse Chronicle 
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