heavy-metal-darkness: Mezzrow | Embrace The Awakening

Thursday, December 4, 2025

Mezzrow | Embrace The Awakening | ROAR

Release Date: November 14^th, 2025

Format: LP/CD/Digital

Genre: Thrash Metal

Country: Sweden

Mezzrow came to life in the late eighties and quickly pushed their way into the Scandinavian thrash scene with demo tapes that earned strong underground attention. Their 1990 debut “Then Came The Killing” became a local cult-classic (and still one of my fave thrash albums) and kept their name alive long after the band went silent. Decades later they returned with renewed drive, new members, and a clear aim. Their reunion album “Summon Thy Demons” reintroduced them to a new audience and brought them back on festival stages across Europe. Since then they have stayed active, releasing singles, a live album, and preparing material that leads to their new full length “Embrace The Awakening”.

“Embrace The Awakening” presents Mezzrow with a sharper profile and a strong sense of direction. The band delivers thrash metal that carries the character of Sweden, although the backbone clearly draws from the classic Bay Area school. There is punch in the riffs, a constant push from the rhythm section, and vocals that cut through the mix without drifting into chaos. The album keeps its energy high, with each song offering a steady barrage of riff work and a firm drive forward. It is clear that the band wanted this release to strike with more force than its predecessor, and they achieve that through tighter writing and a more assertive presence.

The production supports this approach. The guitars bite without turning harsh, the drums hit with weight, and the bass keeps everything grounded. Nothing turns blurry, and the layers sit together in a balanced way. Uffe Pettersson’s voice remains the anchor, adding a rough edge that matches the band’s aggressive style. The melodic touches Mezzrow hinted at on their previous album return here with stronger command, always woven into the thrash framework rather than drifting outside of it.

Across the album, the band avoids unnecessary detours and focuses on impact. The material keeps a steady tempo and works through arrangements that stay lively and engaging. Mezzrow sounds fully committed to the energy they want to project, and this lifts the album as a whole. It is an album shaped with determination and experience, executed by musicians who know exactly how they want their thrash to strike.

“Embrace The Awakening” stands as a robust continuation of Mezzrow’s comeback. It delivers the kind of thrash metal that focuses on raw energy, intensity, and loud, riff-centered songwriting. Anyone following their return will find this to be a strong next chapter and a confident step forward for the band’s modern era.

Score: 8.0