Mahogany Hand Grenade – Return To The Point Of Departure

An elusive Texas progressive metal band, Mahogany Hand Grenade, released (in May, 2013) a five-song EP, titled Return To The Point Of Departure, through bandcamp.

Mastered to digital perfection by Maor Appelbaum (Adrenaline Mob, Cynic, Yngwie Malmsteen, Angra, etc.), four out of five of the tunes are six-minute-plus length.

The songs seem tailor-made for metal fans much moreso then say, fusion, blues or rock fans. Return To The Point Of Departure offers plenty of twists and agile turns.

Spoken-word soundtrack samples are used in the place of lyrics, which can be distracting.

The band seems strongest and most cohesive on the shortest and heaviest track, “Venetian Bricks”. Here, the band hits stride and thrashes out: no vocal samples, no manicured and manufactured oddity, just plain metal.

“Venetian Bricks” is a nice closing salvo to an otherwise quirky release, best heard by fans of metal, ‘shred’ guitar, and progressive instrumental genres.

3/5

Track Listing:
Return to the Point of Departure
Trouble for Trouble
Vinedresser
Etude War Machine
Venetian Bricks

Band Lineup:
Dan Hyer – Guitar
James Falcon – Bass
Mike Pritchett – Drums