Maserati
begins
Enter the Mirror
with "2020," a majestic analog synth fanfare that unfolds like the prologue to a sci-fi movie. It's territory the band knows well and explores expertly on their first album in five years.
evokes the real and fantasy crises of the '80s as well as the 2020s, and
's vocoder-heavy robot rock sounds sleeker and feels more ominous than it has in some time. "Empty"'s searing guitars and pulse-pounding arpeggios call to mind a dystopian scenario like The Running Man; on "A Warning in the Dark," the band adds a danceable beat and shooting star synths to the proceedings without losing any of its doomy vibe. Not only do all the elements on these chrome-plated songs mesh with each other seamlessly, they feature some of
's most powerful performances. "Der Honig"'s grinding Motorik beat gives way to an organ and guitar showdown that generates lots of sparks, while "Wallwalker" boasts riffs and solos big enough to fill a stadium before it effortlessly shifts gears and hits the dancefloor. Familiar yet unpredictable moments like these make
a confident, dynamic celebration of
's 20th year of reimagining the future of decades past with 20/20 hindsight. ~ Heather Phares