Sweden’s MEZZROW returns after 30 years; New album coming in spring 2023
Mezzrow is back after 30 years! Mezzrow built a name for himself in the thrash metal scene in the late eighties with his critically acclaimed demo tapes, Frozen Soul and Cross Of Torment. In 1990, they released their classic debut album, Then Came The Killing, through Active Records, a subsidiary of Music For Nations. The album is still considered to be one of the best, if not the best, thrash metal releases from Sweden and Scandinavia. This classic album was remastered along with all their demos and released through Hammerheart Records in May 2022.
In 2021, Mezzrow rose from the ashes, when bassist Conny Welén (ex-Hexenhaus) and singer Uffe Pettersson (ex-Rosicrucian) decided to make a new mark in today’s thrash metal world and together with new guitarists Magnus Söderman (Nightrage ) ) and Ronnie Björnström (ex-Defiatory, ex-Aeon) have written new killer songs, which have top class pure thrash metal written all over them.
“Of course we have some new and updated sound, more mature and darker, but it is still old school thrash metal from the Bay Area that lays the foundation. We refuse to tune down the guitars and you can definitely hear what Uffe is singing! Some of the songs are actually a bit melodic, but in a thrashy way. So don’t worry, we don’t do ballads”, comments Conny Welén.
The lineup was completed by the excellent drummer Jon Skäre (Defiatory, Hulkoff) and the band is currently putting the final touches on the recordings, which will be released in the spring of 2023 on Fireflash Records, a new subsidiary of Atomic Fire Records.
“This is absolutely amazing! It’s an honor to sign a brand new label with that kind of ‘muscle’. Markus Wosgien is a legend in the industry and with his knowledge and experience, and with the backup power of Atomic Fire, this is without doubt the right decision for Mezzrow”, says the band and Markus adds: “Joacim Cans from HammerFall gave the guys the tip to contact me, I was surprised to read the name Mezzrow again after so long, my curiosity was piqued. When I heard their first five new track they totally blew me away! We hit it off straight away and within a short period of time the right chemistry for a successful collaboration was developing. Thrash Metal fans can look forward to an absolute gem.”
The album was produced by Conny Welén, Ronnie Björnström and Magnus Söderman. The excellent mixing and mastering was done by sound wizard Ronnie Björnström (Sorcerer, Meshuggah, 220 Volt ao). The artwork for the cover must of course fit the music and therefore it was handled by the great Pär Olofsson who, among many other cool covers, recently did the cover for Exodus’ latest release, Persona Non Grata. Things fell into place and it’s time for Mezzrow to leave another exclamation point on the metal map.
“You will hear from us in 2022 when we release a single and a video before Christmas. 2023 will see more singles/videos and finally the long awaited follow up to our debut album Then Came The Killing from 1990. We also hope to play live in 2023! In other words: The future is so bright, we have to wear shades.”