“MUDVAYNE” Mudvayne (Indoor Recess/ Sony) ***
Most black and/or speed metal is laughable- how can guys- and it’s always guys- listen to that crap? But I came away from this with a new appreciation for this brutal form of expression.
You know the saying “if it’s too loud you’re too old”? Looks like I still have some time. What grabs me most about “Mudvayne” is the drumming. Most speed metal guys sound like one of those mechanical chimps with cymbals wound too tight, but drummer Matt McDonough has incredible groove. “This is the best album we’ve recorded since our second album, The End Of All Things To Come” notes the skin basher. The packaging is odd, with every bit of art and text only viewable under a black light. “Mudvayne” is pure, unadulterated metal- and it’s very, very heavy.
KEY CUTS: “Scream With Me”, “Out To Pasture”, “I Can’t Wait”