Cover of Mudvayne L.D.50
matteo_brutal

• Rating:

For fans of mudvayne, lovers of technical and aggressive metal, and listeners exploring early 2000s metal debuts.
 Share

THE REVIEW

Honestly, at first glance, they seem just a poor copy of Slipknot, but these four are truly capable of playing well and at a very high level. The music offered is NOT NEW METAL as most metalheads might think. Sure, the minimal resemblance to Slipknot can be noticed, but Mudvayne, even though they are just starting out, have a style of their own. The genre played by this little group that came out of nowhere is very aggressive metal that features many jazzy elements and rhythms in many songs. In fact, Kud (vocals), Gurrg (guitar-vocals), Spag (drums), and Ryan (bass) declare themselves as listeners and lovers of these types of musicalities. L.D. 50 is very difficult to understand on first listen as it's characterized by very different points within it. As usual, the beginning with "Dig" immediately conveys the band's aggressiveness, and from the first tracks, by listening closely, the great skills of this group become evident until reaching "Death Blooms," a masterpiece song of the entire album, a mix of vast technique, speed, and rage. Songs like "Cradle," "Nothing to Gein," "Prod," and "(K)now (F)orever" show how the four members enjoy blending a lot of technique with rhythms that are almost never straightforward, and they manage not to make songs 6-7 minutes long feel like burdens. The first listen to the CD may make this band seem a bit strange, but once their style clicks in your mind, you won’t hesitate to keep listening to this product. The singer has an incredible voice capable of sustaining the power of the screams with ease, alternating a moment later with much more melodic parts. The guitarist, along with the bass and drums, do an excellent teamwork, and even live, they never miss a beat, always playing excellently. I’d still like to highlight the BASSIST, whom I believe has excellent technique and a great style. For the entire duration of L.D. 50, it's impossible not to hear him with his light distortion under every song: commendable. In conclusion, I can recommend the group to everyone, to those who love every type of sound and have no prejudices against musicians who paint their faces before taking the stage. Guys, trust me, this is not a masterpiece but almost...and we're just at the debut...

Loading comments  slowly

Summary by Bot

Mudvayne's debut album L.D. 50 proves the band’s technical prowess and distinctive style despite initial comparisons to Slipknot. Featuring jazzy rhythms and aggressive metal, the album shows a mature musicianship. Highlights include 'Death Blooms' and complex rhythmic songs. The vocalist’s powerful and melodic delivery complements solid instrumentation, especially the bassist’s skillful play. Though not a masterpiece yet, it’s a promising start worth multiple listens.

Mudvayne

Mudvayne is an American heavy metal band formed in Illinois in 1996, known for technical musicianship, inventive rhythms, and the breakout single “Dig.” Albums like L.D.50, The End of All Things to Come, and Lost and Found cemented their standing before a hiatus; they reunited in 2021.
10 Reviews

Other reviews

By Metal89

 Ladies and gentlemen, this is the best nu metal band currently on the scene, Mudvayne.

 'Dig' is undoubtedly close to perfection; a mix of Claypoolian bass, very powerful guitar and drum riffs, and a brutal and captivating voice.