San Diego, CA's Burning the Masses are characterized by an especially violent brand of deathcore, streaked with instrumental complexity derived from math metal. Beginning with a demo in 2005, the group proceeded to develop their repertoire while building a small following on local stages, until they were ready to record their self-financed and -distributed mini-album, Volatile Existence in 2007. This quickly paved the way for a deal with Mediaskare Records, which repackaged and reissued that release, before sending bandmembers David Montenegro (vocals), Arde (guitar/vocals), Chris (guitar), Jake (bass), and Chason Westmorelan (drums), back into the studio to record a proper full-length. Released in 2008 under the evocative title of Mind Control, the album featured three re-recorded tracks among nine brand new tunes, but all of them sounded as oppressively brutal as ever. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia