Review Summary: 44 is an intense album that takes you on a journey through pain and war.
The Mayan calendar is a complex system that tracks events and predictions over a long period of time. The main event on this controversial system full of glyphs, numbers, and cycles of time is the apocalypse. The end of civilization as we know it could occur on December 21st, 2012 due to the Winter Solstice Sun and the crossing point of the galactic equator with the path of the sun. Some predict that the earth’s magnetic field will reverse, while other’s believe that time itself will come to a halt. Now, whether this is true or not, the earth is filled with many wonders that we want to stay forever, whether it be natures creation or man made. One of these wonders that we are all accustomed to is the sound of music. From the first cave man to ever make a cracking noise by beating a stick into a rock, all the way to the first drum set to be invented, we have always been fascinated with different sounds. Music is a work of art, but for music to be considered a memorable work of art, such as the Mayan pyramids, all the right pieces have to come into place. Now I present to you, The Mayan Factor.
The Mayan Factor use a combination of acoustic guitars, tribal beats, and a melodic keyboard that pulls the listener in to create one hell of a sound. The instrumentation on this album is absolutely phenomenal. From the Indian tribal effects of “To Kill A Priest” and the up tempo piano in “A Red Gone Blue,” there is enough diversity here to satisfy anyone. Each song is full of emotion, either making you feel totally depressed, or leaving you wondering, what the hell just happened? The way The Mayan Factor uses the acoustic guitar blends perfectly with everything else. “Hopi Elders” and the short, but mesmerizing “Yesterday’s Son” are a few prime examples of how talented this band really is.
Ray Ray’s vocals are truly captivating. “Recon” is a great example of how he can pull you in and make you feel exactly what he’s feeling. It’s a song about fallen comrades during war, and the lyrics give off some intense feelings about battle. “
Force into breath/ Information/ Blood will spill/ Before me/ Alpha Bravo/ Base unstable/ Bodies fall/ Before me/ Relive it ”
A reoccurring theme in the album involves war and politics (inside the CD case it even says that it is dedicated to the fallen warriors). “Terrorist” and “Propaganda”, along with the previously mentioned “Recon” are good examples of this. “Ventrilaquist” is about the puppets of war, while “Bondage” deals with the ultimate penalty, which is death.
There are many great songs to talk about, but the two gems are the opening track, “To Kill A Priest,” and the psychotic horror of “Jack Nicholson.” “To Kill A Priest” is one of the best opening tracks I’ve ever heard, for it tells a chilling story of a relationship gone terribly wrong. The tribal drum beats combined with an electric guitar and Ray Ray’s heart felt vocals creates an atmosphere that makes you stop whatever it is that you are doing, and lets you absorb the pain that he is feeling. Halfway through the track, Ray Ray let’s out a cry for help that will send chills down your spine. “
Stop digging in my grave, stop digging in my grave” is then repeated for the rest of the song
No song has ever made me think and feel as much as “Jack Nicholson.” This slow paced, gut wrenching track left me in shock the first time I listened to it, and it still does every time.
Calm down, calm down, calm down,
Grab the knife,
Calm down, calm down calm down,
Slit her throat,
Calm down, calm down, calm down,
Watch her bleed,
Calm down, calm down, calm down,
My head hurts
I’m not sure why the song is called “Jack Nicholson,” but I believe that it is a song about Jack Nicholson’s character, Jack Torrance, from the horror movie “The Shining.” He is a character driven to insanity and violence, wanting to slit the throat of his wife. It could also be a psychological reference to the soldiers in war who end up completely losing their minds. No matter what the song means, it will always leave you thinking about what the hell happened. It is one of the most terrifying and beautiful tracks you will ever listen to.
The progressive, tribal rock vibe of The Mayan Factor is something that you cannot miss out on.
44 is a work of art that will be stuck in your head for a long time, and it is a great example of a wondrous man made creation. If war is going to be the cause of our apocalypse, then the Mayans will be partially right, for humanity will cause it’s own death. It is all about how we can change and stop this madness around us, for that is The Mayan Factor.
