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Mudvayne virtually came out of nowhere and blew up the nu-metal scene seemingly overnight, while major labels scrambled to sign them to a deal. Shawn Crahan, aka #6, "The Clown", of Slipknot is one of their most vocal supporters and, in fact, served as the Executive Producer of their debut offering. Most truly heavy bands aren't very marketable from a major label point of view, which then usually finds them working with smaller labels more supportive of underground music scene such as Roadrunner and Metal Blade. Epic signing Mudvayne to their main imprint shows tremendous confidence in the band's future.
Seeing Mudvayne's potential, Slipknot took them out on the road to open for them on the last leg of their American tour. Tattoo the Earth then secured them for their festival tour. They were slated to play the early lineup of the second stage but a few days before the tour launched, they moved to the middle of the lineup on the main stage, because of rapidly generating buzz.
I've seen plenty of bands live, and I've seen plenty of bands rock, but I've never seen any crowd won over faster than by Mudvayne. Playing as virtually unknowns in the opening slot on Slipknot's tour, they captured the crowd's attention and held it, within 30 seconds of hitting the first chord of set opener "Dig".
The Music:
With the rap/metal machine finally starting to show its cracks, a new breed of nu-metal gains strength. Bands like the Deftones and Korn are starting to distance themselves from the very scene it created, while even de facto "Godfather" of nu-metal, Ross Robinson, has been quoted to say, "I'm looking to drive the nail into the coffin on this rap-metal thing". It started with Slipknot proving that not only could extreme music sell, and sell well, you didn't even need a star cameo on every other track or an 80's cover song, "metal-style" to succeed. Enter Mudvayne.
First let me say, Mudvayne's debut CD, "L.D. 50" is one hell of an album. From album opener, "Dig" to hypnotic closer "Lethal Dose", Mudvayne pummels you to get your attention, then doesn't let up. The album carries an "evolution of humanity" theme and delivers it with my favorite method: Beating it into your skull.
Mudvayne is described by their own website as "hardcore groove", which makes sense, but it goes far beyond that. They are very dynamic and incorporate diverse elements into their sonic assault. They have quite a bit of a jazz influence, as well as funk. Don't mistake this for being a funky jam band, however…. these guys are brutal. They have everything that you want in a heavy band, lots of tempo changes, breakdowns, and healthy doses of double kick drum. Double bass is good….
After the intro "Monolith" beckons you to "open your mind" through hallucinogens, the Mudvayne experience begins. "Dig", the first single, is a great representative of Mudvayne's sound, and is being added to radio rotations around the country. With a quick build to explosion, "Dig" is a great album opener that translates into a great show opener.
Every member of Mudvayne are musically diverse, which makes their sound unique. Ryan Martinie's bass isn't just background here. It's very much foreground, similar to Primus' sound.. Chad's Gray's vocals are top notch. This guy can really sing, as well as scream/growl like he's gurgling broken glass. Greg Tribbett's guitar work is heavy and grinding, and very innovative. Last but definitely not least is, in my opinion, the star of the album, drummer and self-proclaimed genius, Matt Mcdonough. His beats are really what keeps you craving a lethal dose.
I challenge you to listen to the bouncing and heavy "Internal Primates Forever" and try to restrain yourself at Chad's command to "JUMP!". Chad's vocals sound straight out of the rubber room with lyrics like, "They're coming…they're coming to take me away, haha!" The song closes with a pure metal riff while screams of "Internal Primate!" echo over and over. Ahh, this is metal at its best.
The next track, "-1" really show what the Mudvayne boys are capable of. Chad's hauntingly soft vocals put the listener in a mellow trance. "I'm sure the lessons were learned… I'm sure the punishments were well deserved" sinks into your mind as a soft and subtle, yet technical rhythm section soothes, then the chorus explodes into chaos. There isn't a track where Mudvayne doesn't explode at some point. It's always just around the corner.
"Death Blooms" is my personal favorite and a testament to what innovation can bring to heaviness. Once again showcasing the talents of all the band members, it is hardcore groove at its best. It's songs like this that make Mudvayne a great band. The chorus is abso-fucking-lutley pummeling in all aspects. "In a space between a blink and a tear, death blooms", preaches Chad as the song fades out...
In the same vayne (sic) as "-1", "Cradle" is a soft and almost tender song, dealing with disturbing issues such as child abandonment and abuse. It seems as if the band works their own personal demons on their instruments as they deliver a sympathetic message through complex songwriting.
"Nothing to Gein" is Mudvayne at its most dynamic, and arguably the best song on the album. It's perfect from beginning to end, and has the most catchy chorus on the album; it will stick in your head. A great song such as this really can't be explained in any way that will do it justice. Just listen to it.
L.D 50 is really intended to be listened from beginning to end to get the full experience. It has "intro" tracks peppered throughout the album that actually add another thought provoking element to an already fantastic tapestry of sound. Mudvayne is a rare treat in a music world where jumping on the bandwagon and following the cash cow is par for the course. Innovation and originality are far more interesting than popular trends. Mudvayne has a bright future, a fantastic debut album, and tight live show. The cream rises to the top, and the masses will come.
Review by Devin Barnum
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