MUDVAYNE
"The New Game"
(Sony Legacy; 2008)
Reviewed by Snidermann
Crazy outfits, scary masks, outrageous stage shows. That's what you think of when you hear the word Mudvayne. After listening to a few releases, however, you realize that these aren't just some bunch of untalented bozos in masks and makeup. What you get is a highly talented band, doing what they do, making some kick ass music. Sure, the costumes are fun and that crazy shit they do on stage makes them stand out, but it's the music that really counts.
"The New Game" is a collection of great music, done with class and some serious talent. The songs are tight, full of angst and more than fun to listen to. There is a cover of "King of Pain," by The Police, that is, frankly, better than the original.
One thing I can say about Mudvayne is they are one fun band and I have to put them on my bucket list to see live.
For more information, check out http://www.mudvayne.com.
"Lost and Found"
(Epic Records; 2005)
Reviewed by Jeff Rogers
Mudvayne have abandoned the make-up and odd names and they’ve decided to focus more on the music. It's not that a space alien mask and a nickname caused them to hold back in any way, they just thought it was time for a change.
The first Mudvayne CD I heard was “L.D. 50” and I never picked up anything else
by them after that. I still hadn’t recovered from the initial fist to face.
"Lost and Found" was like a horse kick to the temple. The opening wrecking ball
of a trick, en titled “Determined,” really gets things started off right.
The intensity is still there and, to me, it sounds as though
the band wanted to change their image but not their music. Don’t get me wrong:
those who liked Mudvayne of old won’t be disappointed with the similar sound
of "Lost and Found." It’s just that it's been five years since their first release and I don’t hear any growth.
Things do go a bit lighter on tracks like “Fall Into Sleep” and “All That You
Are.” Those songs sure don’t fit within the hair pulling ones and that’s my only
beef. I’m not looking for Top 40 hits from this band; I’m just at a loss as
to the combination here. If you’ve heard this disc then maybe you know what I’m aiming at.
Thankfully, the rockers are still here, the guitar is as odd as before and the drums and bass keep stomping in time together.
Again, image seems to be the only real change here.
The best teeth-busting tracks are “Determined,” “Happy?” “Choices,” and “All That You Are.”
Mudvanye: Chad Gray – vox; Greg Tribbett – guitars and vox; Matt McDonough – bass; Ryan Martine – bass.
For more information, check out http://www.mudvayne.com.
"The
End of All Things To Come" (Epic Records; 2002)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
Mudvayne's "The End of All Things To Come" is a rock solid CD but I was surprised to find that the new album is more disciplined and less chaotic than L.D. 50.
Don't get me wrong - "End of All Things" is packed with the required rough edges, but the new CD sounds closer to Disturbed than Slipknot, which is not how I remember Mudvayne sounding. (Maybe I should just go back and dig out my "L.D. 50" CD.)
Regardless, "End of All Things" is powerful stuff throughout. Except when it slows down a bit (like on track 6, "World So Cold), every song on this CD is fast, energetic and engaging. Track #8, "Skrying," is a standout, with its almost psychedelic music (think Pink Floyd meets Rammstein). In addition, although not necessary, the band's sound fits their current image - or it may be the other way around.
I must confess that I don't understand the existence of track #11, "12:97:24:99," which appears to be just 11 seconds of silence. If someone out there knows more, please let me know at rsb@roughedge.com.
Mudvayne has evolved, it seems, but not too far from their original, rougher sound. Previous fans will stay fans and those who haven't discovered the band will probably like what they hear - as long as they are already fans of this particular genre.
Mudvayne: Chud - vox; Guug - guitars and vox; Spug - drums; Ru-D - bass.
Check out the band's website at http://www.mudvayne.com.
"The
End of All Things To Come" ( Epic Records; 2002)
Reviewed by Snidermann
One thing that I've learned is to never expect anything traditional from Mudvayne and "The End of All Things Come" hasn't changed that feeling a bit.
"The End of All Things to Come" is dark and warped, full of strange and often well- hidden meanings that are extremely fun to try and figure out. While listening to this CD, I often asked myself, "What the hell were they thinking?" Frankly, most of the time, I cant figure it out and that's just part of the fun.
I think what draws me to Mudvayne and this CD in particular is the strange, almost perverse way the music is presented. The band has carved itself a notch in heavy metal with their painted faces, strange ... no, bizarre ... music and a shit load of attitude.
Mudvayne's approach to music is fresh and alive and definitely not part of the mainstream metal scene and that's fine with me. Metal needs more showman and Mudvayne are just the band for the role. I really want to see these cats live.
The first time I spun this CD, I immediately hit the replay button and spun it again. After writing this review, I think it's time for another spin!
The names of the bandmembers are just as strange as the music: Chüd - vox; Güüg - guitars and vox; Spüg - drums; Rü-d - bass.
Check out the band's website at http://www.mudvayne.com.
"The
Beginning of All Things To End" (Epic Records; 2001)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
The main purpose of Mudvayne's "The Beginning of All Things to End" was to give fans something to chew on prior to the release of "The End of All Things To Come" and to re-release the band's rare 1997 E.P., "Kill I Oughtta." Those purposes are well-served here, however, something else happens as well. "The Beginning of All Things to End" actually becomes a pretty good CD on its own.
We could do without the album opener, "Pooploser," which starts with a baby crying and dissolves into someone chanting "You're a motherfucking piece of shit and you'll never amount to nothing" while the sounds of others fighting goes on in the background (okay, I know it was meant to add atmosphere but did it really have to run for a full minute and a half?). But the remainder of "The Beginning of All Things To End" is pretty good stuff, with Mudvayne chugging along at their rawest. One can easily see how the band's "Kill I Oughtta" led to their eventual signing.
There are also brief glimpses at the band's "L.D. 50" CD here (packed all together at the end of the CD on this review copy but, I understand, split up between tracks throughout the actual release pressing) , plus two re-mixes of the band's popular "Dig." The re-mixes are interesting, if not spectacular, as one has been given an eerie sci-fi dance sound while the other has an apocalyptic trance feel to it.
Mudvayne fans will want to make sure that "The Beginning of All Things To End" is in their collection. Those new to the band might be better off to start with "L.D. 50" or "The End of All Things to Come."
For information, check out http://www.mudvayne.com.
"Dig"
(No Name / Epic Records) (DVD Single; 2001)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
This DVD single is truly an appropriate medium for Mudvayne, not because the band needs visuals in order to rock hard, but because seeing the band's bizarre image and high intensity actually improves the experience of the music.
Included herein is a special multi-angle music video (using your "Angle" remote control button, you can change the angle from which you view the video; pretty cool); a photo gallery; digital remastering; Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound; PCM Stereo and interactive menus.
If you haven't heard of Mudvayne and are curious to check them out, it'd probably be better to start off with their music-only CD (see below). Fans of the band and those who know a little about Mudvayne, however, will find this DVD only enhances the high-energy hard rock/heavy metal performance of Mudvayne.
Mudvayne is: Kud - vox; Gurrg - guitars and vox; Spag - drums; Ryknow - bass.
Check out the band's website at http://www.mudvayne.com.
"L.D.
50" (No Name / Epic Records; 2000)
Reviewed by Snidermann
Mudvayne is the name of the band; "L.D. 50" is the name of the recording. This CD is 60+ minutes of pure atomic energy metal.
The CD starts intense and leaves you breathless after one hour of industrial strength music. Even the slow songs feel like a complete cardio workout. This is one of the best metal bands I have heard recently - in the same vein as Incubus.
Mudvayne is not for the weak of heart; however, I found it quite fresh and wholly entertaining. If you like your metal loud, hard and in your face - I would suggest you check out Mudvayne. You will not be disappointed.
Mudvayne is: Kud - vox; Gurrg - guitar and vox; Spag - drums; Ryan - Bass.
Check out Mudvayne on the web at www.mudvayne.com.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2023 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
