Review: “Only The Dead Know Our Secrets” by Mosara

Having originally formed and been active during the early 2000’s, in late 2018 Mosara was resurrected from the dust and ash in Phoenix Arizona by founding vocalist and guitarist Tony Gallegos of Enirva and Twingiant fame. He enlisted new members in guitarist Niko Mixas, also of Twingiant, bassist Kristoffer Reynolds of Beira and drummer John Quin of Authority Zero and Secrets Of Lost Empires and together they created the bands self titled debut album, a piece of Doom Metal that blurs the lines between other genres including Stoner, Progressive and Sludge. In 2021 Kristoffer Reynolds exited stage left to be replaced by Christopher Burns of Hex Volt and Bright Sunshine fame with the group of seasoned veterans entering the writing phase of sophomore record “Only The Dead Know Our Secrets“, another self recorded, mixed and mastered affair…

There may only be four cuts but as a record “Only The Dead Know Our Secrets” surpasses the 33 minute mark with Mosara specialising in taking their would be listeners on longer journeys into the low and slow with a raw and heartfelt sound that has been self described as atavistic doom. This particular journey begins with “Magissa” (or “Witch“), a cut that features Greek narration from Doxa Kratouni. Drawing inspiration from the ancients with a recitation of the 2700 year old poem “Theogony” adjoined to powerful riffs, low end bass and a muddy drum sound that makes the cut sound as if it was recorded in a rehearsal space. It’s a challenging and yet rewarding and intelligent listen, building on the genre foundations left by bands like Black Sabbath and Candlemass with an ocean of musicianship and both sinister and occult leanings. “Zion’s Eyes” then brings some acoustic flare before building into more hypnotic melodies with flames reaching higher and higher into the star filled night sky. The shrieked vocals maybe the polar opposite of what one might expect but they are few and far between with long instrumental passages the preferred mode of communication and when they do come into play they offer the kind of contrast that makes Mosara stand out from the crowd. Creating an ethnic vibe, either a Mandolin or a Bouzouki is used in the introduction of “The Permanence of Isolation” before Mosara disappear down Alice’s rabbit hole with more intense Stoner Doom riffs that are accompanied by cathartic shouts of “f*** you!“. By the end its the most aggressive piece of this jigsaw puzzle having built from the most experimental and melodic ideas into something with a weight and gravity that simply can not be denied. Heavier and unrelenting “Only The Dead Know Our Secrets” is a slow trudge of captivating bleak atmosphere that leaves you gazing into the middle distance while it satisfies your emotional needs like a soundscape piece during an arthouse movie [7/10]

Track Listing

1. Magissa
2. Zion’s Eyes
3. The Permanence of Isolation
4. Only The Dead Know Our Secrets

“Only The Dead Know Our Secrets” by Mosara is out 22nd July 2022 and is available for pre-order over at bandcamp.