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Mudvayne - Self Titled By Brian Campbell  |
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If it seems that Mudvayne released a new record not too long ago, that’s because they didn’t. The band released “the New Game” almost 13 months ago to the day November 18, 2008. In that aspect it might be hard to call this self titled record a new record since they recorded the material for it the same time they recorded “the New Game.”
So, let’s call it a new old record. That’s pretty much how it sounds anyways.
This record sounds almost identical to “the New Game,” and perhaps a lot of that has to do with the fact all the songs for the two records were recorded during the same session, but some of that has to do with the fact that there simply has been not much progression as of late for the band. Mudvayne was once one of the most exciting bands in metal. “L.D. 50” was impressive and even the bands switch to heavy progressive metal that was more tech than math on “the End of All Things to Come” was admirable.
But since then? Well, not much to write home about. And that was seven years ago.
With the self titled record, their fifth studio effort to date, everything you want in a Mudvayne record is there – throaty, passionate vocals, crunchy, swirling guitars that can be intricate when they want to be and some of the better drumming you will hear in a modern metal act. But for one reason or another, the band just put it all together in a bland fashion. This record is not impressive and somewhat uninspiring, if not dull, and more often than not, sounds forced. Rushed might work better to describe. Sure, the band does some things right (‘Beautiful and Strange,’ ‘Heard It All Before’), but there are also painfully agonizing moments (‘Dead Inside,’ ‘Scream With Me’). At least Mudvayne showed something on this album, that being their ability to show signs of life, signs of assurance that the band hasn’t completely tumbled down the rabbit hole of mediocrity (‘I Can’t Wait’).
If Mudvayne doesn’t step their game up soon, they are liable to be lapped and passed over by any one of the hundreds, probably thousands, of bands waiting in the wings making more exciting music. And seeing those bands in their rear view mirror should be happening sooner than later and the band should keep in mind that objects in their mirror are closer than they appear.
Grade: C
Listen to: ‘I Can’t Wait’
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