Mellowtoy
Nobody Gets Out Alive

Two years later, Mellowtoy returns, mostly known for their cover of "Save a Prayer" by Duran Duran.
The new album titled "Nobody Gets Out Alive" represents a certain shift in direction, but not in the sense of lightening, rather in the sense of intensifying. The Milan-based band draws from their tours supporting big-name bands, taking inspiration from them as well.
If the first album seemed insipid in parts, without offering anything new, this "NGOA" remains on the nu-metal shores but also offers us hardcore, hip-hop beats, in my opinion even rap-core, all seasoned with Prodigy-style samples and plenty of scratching.  All tracks are more schizophrenic and comparable to "2 Minutes" from their debut "Mellowtoy", with catchy choruses and parts that are more restricted.
The main flaws of the record are sound quality, which is not always perfect, and at times the repetitiveness of the songs, which nevertheless flow pleasantly.

The album opens with "Shit Shit Shit" where the band doesn't hold back, just as throughout the album. With "Round II", Mellowtoy slips into the shoes of Prodigy with a genuine techno-punk piece.
"Evilkids" brings us back to scratching rhythms, "The World Is Mine" is among the most successful songs, also due to its catchier vocals and more elaborate construction compared to the others.
"Shade" features an intro reminiscent of Limp Bizkit, it’s a purely nu-metal track.
Then we reach the hardcore of "'Till The Music Goes On" and the Fear Factory influences in "Fak U" which is also a well-constructed song.
"I'll Die My Way" takes us back to the first album, although the very electronic ending will surely appeal to fans of certain sounds.
"Criminal Polulation" stays in the main vein of the entire album with the classic catchy chorus and well-thought riffing. "Crush Test" is the heaviest track on the record, starting and finishing with pure hardcore.
"A Way Out" is probably the best song because it encapsulates all the different sounds found in "NGOA" which closes with a cover of "Them Bones" by Alice In Chains. I would say the cover is beautiful and successful, although inferior to "Save A Prayer" because it simply makes the original's sound "nu-metal".

Mellowtoy, therefore, manages to evolve in a fully positive way, maturing compared to their debut, delivering an energetic album, a pleasure to listen to, although they still need to improve to achieve a fully distinctive sound, but continuing this way, they are on the right path.
"Nobody Gets Out Alive" probably doesn't offer much innovation, but it is certainly far superior to most Italian music releases.
Obviously, anyone who can't stand nu-metal and rap parts should refrain from listening to this album : )

(sic)VII