Single reviewsThe Other Side Reviews

Mike Masser – The Phoenix (2021)

From his album True Grit, Mike Maasser rises up with the hard rock tones of ‘The Phoenix’. With a personal touch to the music, he brings the struggles of life to alternative rock tones in an easy to connect with manner. Twined with authentic storytelling lyrics, he takes a step back to classic rock roots while filling listeners with motivation and inspiration.

Masser not only draws on personal experiences for his sound but the musical skills he has honed since breaking into the music scene in the early 2000s. Through his solo music, he has discovered new paths for his musicality to traverse. This has led to the raw and unfiltered tones of his fourth album and the bright fire of this single.



‘The Phoenix’ has a slightly ominous feeling to the opening guitar line as it calls to you across the desert of the soundscape. The drums pound and roll through the lower levels before the music bursts with a blast of hard rock sensibilities. There is a wonderful energy to the track that is contained in a punch of the best elements of classic rock. The guitars curl around you like wisps of smoke while the drums push against your chest. While the melody is a real masterclass on classic rock mixing with alternative rock, it creates the perfect foundation for the rather uplifting vocals.

As the music rolls through you, Masser’s vocals call from the depths like a phoenix rising from the ashes. There is a rough edge to his performance that scratches the rock itch in the back of your mind. While his rock tones rumble into your soul, the lyrics fill you with a fighting motivation. There is a feeling of resistance woven into his performance as you stand against anything that tries to tear you down. As the single progresses, there is a slight soaring feeling to his performance that lifts your spirits out of the ashes of the past.

Mike Masser rises with inspiration and upliftment to a mix of classic and alternative rock that scratches an itch you never knew you had in ‘The Phoenix’. The music rolls and pushes through your senses in a masterful combination of sounds. His vocals call out to you with a gruff edge that drives the uplifting message of the track.

Find out more about Mike Masser on his website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.