No/Mas from Washington, D.C.
The band dispenses a face-ripping combination of grindcore, metal, death, and thrash that would cut deep a decade ago or a decade from now. The Washington, D.C. group — Roger Rivadeneira [vocals], John Letzkus [guitar], Patrick Merson [bass], and Henry Everitt [drums, vocals] — engage an uncompromising sensory assault, barreling forward like a runaway freight train only bolted to the rails by deft riffing, explosive drumming, and vocal brutality.
After racking up thousands of streams and receiving acclaim from Decibel, Metal Injection, and more, the band perfect this approach on their Closed Casket Activities debut, Consume/Deny/Repent.
"We wanted to make a record that was really riff-heavy and catchy," states John. "It has more old school influences, but it’s also modern at the same time."
"Thematically, we had specific things in mind, but the pandemic literally changed the world," adds Roger. "It went from being a more conceptualized album to music that references what we were going through. That's one thing we all agreed on."
Under the influence of everything from Slayer and Napalm Death to Wormrot, NO/MAS materialized in Washington, D.C. They made waves with their 2018 full-length debut, Raíz Del Mal, which Metal Injection christened “one of the most intense releases of the year.” Meanwhile, Decibel
Working with producer Taylor Young in Los Angeles, they sharpened this approach to knifepoint precision.
"When we first started NO/MAS, I came up with a mantra for what the band is about," the singer states. "We are against all forms of injustice. We want to bring awareness to mental health and the separation of church and state." In the end, NO/MAS remain inimitable in their beatdown.