CORTEZ – Sell the Future – 9/10
The Backstory:
Cortez is a Boston-based 5 piece that formed in 2006 from the ashes of several other now defunct Beantown rock bands. The group debuted with their Thunder in a Forgotten Town EP in 2007. In 2012 Cortez released their self-titled full length album and followed that with 2017’s The Depths Below. 2020 sees the release of Cortez’ third album Sell The Future.
The Album:
The group kicks things off with drums and guitars roaring on “No Escape.” Matt Harrington is melodic in his delivery, but has just enough gritty rock swagger thrown in. The chorus is undeniably catchy with its “hey, hey, hey” group vocal. Guitarists Scott O’Dowd and Alasdair Swan tear it up old school style during the instrumental break. “Sell the Future” has a dark and sinister tone set by Black Sabbath-esque riffage until the tempo picks up at the halfway point.
“Look at You” has the intensity of a movie action sequence. Alexei Rodriguez‘s drum work is thunderous and unavoidable. It’s all about the Classic Rock riffs and licks on “Deceivers.” Harrington’s vocals are just as powerful and intense as the music backing him up. “Vanishing Point” has a lot of Punk sensibility with its speed and anger. The 7 minute epic “Beyond” closes out the album. The track starts off slow and clean and increases in tempo and power as it continues.
The Verdict:
With Sell the Future, Cortez carries the torch for classic Hard Rock and Metal with more guitar riffs than you can handle. It’s the right balance of intensity and passion. Cortez is a little bit Black Sabbath, a little bit Armored Saint, a little bit Monster Magnet, and a little bit of the Misfits rolled into one. If Cortez is selling the future, then we should all be listening.
–George Dionne
