ACE MAFIA – Ace Mafia [EP]

Ace Mafia would have been a sure thing in 2001. Unfortunately, the band’s generic Modern Hard Rock sound combined with singer K. Ghibli’s late 90s entrenched vocal style just makes it sound like another recording project that took so long to get released that it completely missed the boat on what audiences want to hear. Ace Mafia, an EP, is the 2nd release by this band over a period of 10 years. It’s noteworthy, and very telling, that Judas Priest guitarist Richie Faulkner plays on this effort. His contribution was recorded before he joined Priest, which was back in 2011. So at the very least these songs have been sitting for seven years. From the sound of it, it’s probably been much longer. The out-of-touch style along with the mafia / pinstriping / early 2000s vibe almost makes this band seem like a parody in 2018.

That being said, this EP is well produced, and well delivered. As one would imagine, the guitars are excellent and are, in many ways, the highlight of the release. Hopefully these guys enjoy the time they’ve put into this band. Considering the current state of the music industry, and the uninspired, under-whelming nature of these songs, there’s probably not much in Ace Mafia’s future, beyond weekend recreation.