BRIA – “Optimus Masochist”
BRIA Bring Hair Metal Fire and Hard Rock Grit to Optimus Masochist
BRIA’s Optimus Masochist is a five-track hard rock EP that goes straight for energy, attitude, and big guitar-driven impact. Led by vocalist and bassist Angelo Bria, the Portland-based project carries the confidence of someone with deep roots in rock and metal, but the release does not feel like a simple throwback. It pulls from the spirit of the hair metal era while adding a grittier edge that makes the songs hit with more weight.
The title track immediately sets the tone with sharp production, edgy guitars, and the kind of riffs that feel built for volume. Across the EP, BRIA lean into a classic hard rock language, with flashes that bring to mind Mötley Crüe and Guns N’ Roses, but the sound has a rougher punch that keeps it from feeling too polished or nostalgic. The guitars are one of the strongest elements throughout the release, constantly pushing the tracks forward with killer riffs, tight rhythm work, and enough bite to give the songs a real live-band force.
Angelo Bria’s vocals add a lot of fuel to the whole project. His delivery is energetic, direct, and full of personality, giving the songs the kind of presence that hard rock needs in order to feel convincing. The performances never feel passive; everything sounds like it is being pushed with intention, from the vocal phrasing to the way the rhythm section drives each track.
The production is also impressively solid, balancing heaviness, clarity, and raw energy. The EP sounds big without losing its grit, and that balance helps each song carry its own punch while still feeling part of the same world.
Closing track “The Camera” brings a smart change of pace with an acoustic direction, wrapping up the release in a way that feels unexpected but completely fitting. After the high-energy charge of the previous tracks, it gives the EP a final moment of contrast and shows that BRIA can still hold attention when the sound is pulled back.
Optimus Masochist is a strong, energetic hard rock release, full of attitude, great guitar work, and memorable vocal fire. BRIA capture the best parts of classic rock excess while adding enough grit to make it feel alive today.