9th April 2025

Review: “Tales Of The Cured” by Mashaile

A concept record which tells the story of a poisonous plant that seduces people with its properties and charm, leading them to their “happy” doom is the first burnt offering from Sofia, Bulgaria based Death Thrash merchants Mashaile. Thematically “Tales of the Cured” explores the dark side of human nature, where hypocrisy, temptation, envy, destruction, and self-destruction lead the characters to their inevitable fate. Inspired by the highly toxic ‘Oenanthe crocata‘, a plant that, when consumed, causes death with a chilling smile, the lyrics depict a grim yet poetic journey. As humanity reaches its demise, nature flourishes, reclaiming what was once harmed. A twisted cycle of decay and rebirth, it was recorded at Urban House Studio with Matt Taylor (Grimaze, Incara, Ksalba) mixing and mastering before being adorned by artwork from Elina-Magdalena Dimitrova.

A pair of instrumentals bookend “Tales Of The Cured” in time honoured fashion, leaving it a three piece suite of songs that serve as a showcase for what Mashaile can create under threat of poison, noose or knife. After the gentle meandering of “Prologue” first track proper “Unanticipated” flies out of the gate with some Trivium style riffs as the trio attack the cerebral cortex from all sides. Vocalist Georgi I. Ivanov has the harsh tones of a Death Metal overlord while the music created by guitarist Philip Kolarov and bassist Angela Milcheva originates from the first wave of American Metalcore, inspired by the Gothenburg scene in Melodic Death Metal with a shot of Thrash for good measure. “Floral Enticement” is arguably the finest example of that, Black Metal style lyrical themes written by Milcheva are distinctively of Scandinavian origin, Ivanov’s brutal vocal performance carrying them to a new realm of existence. It’s the riffs however that really make this record sing. They feel like they’re the work of a seasoned band with many tours under their collective bullet belts and far from those which you’d expect to hear on a debut record. It’s clear that the three piece are well versed in their cryptic writings too because they nail each performance. A tale of murder most horrid, “Joy in Fatality” races away with galloping drums and searing leads, the band not afraid to incorporate longer instrumental passages if they see fit. A masterclass with just a hint of nostalgia about it, this one really hits home turning this record into something of a promo for label shopping rather than simply a debut for fans to hear. Spellbinding leads continue into “Epilogue” as Kolarov shows what he is truly capable of with contrasting growls, whispers and melodic harmonies a glorious touch. If they’re not touring Europe in the not too distant future then there is something wrong with the World because Mashaile clearly have all the guns and ammunition in their arsenal to make it happen [8/10]

Track Listing