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Rating: THE REVIEW
High punk crests and splashes of blood on heavily made-up faces. I was 14 and I admit that in the end, Mudvayne kind of got me excited. I discovered them at the MTV Video Awards in 2001 (yes, back then MTV occasionally upheld democracy) and the single "Dig" shocked the States with its rebellious nature in both the video and what we might call the 'Slipknot' style sound.
Years have passed now, and in 2009 the band released the self-titled "Mudvayne." They don't excite as they used to, but they still leave their mark in their own way. That the band had slightly softened their sound was already evident from their third work, "Lost And Found" in 2005, a pinnacle of maturity driven by the singles "Determined" and "Happy?" Well, I can immediately say that tracks like "Scream With Me" and "Beautiful Strange" from this album are not lacking at all. The guitars remain 'alternative', and perfectly complement Chad Grey's acidic voice, the heart and soul of this Illinois band.
Making one last comparison with the past, the sonic formula of this album stabilizes, and it doesn't suffer much from 'progressive' influences like on albums such as "L.D. 50." or "The End Of All Things To Come." Whether we like it or not, Mudvayne is now a predominantly (or almost) Nu Metal band, but that shouldn't equate to poor quality. A track like "1000 Mile Journey" perfectly illustrates this point; Grey is as aggressive as ever, but the chorus draws in and captivates with its conviction and, above all, melody, a fundamental component of the album. Also noteworthy are various intros like "Beyond The Pale" or the unsettling bass in "Out To Pasture" which opens one of the album's most introverted tracks, "You keep leading me you keep driving me you keep pushing me out to pasture," Chad Gray almost irritably repeats in the chorus. The reflective analysis of the now-forty-year-old leader continues to embrace much of the group's work, finding its peak in the acoustic closing track, "Dead Inside," which is superb, melancholic, and simple. At least to me, it seems to nod to grunge, but that might just be my impression.
The flaw that nostalgic fans might attribute to the album lies, overall, in a lack of aggression and ferocity compared to works from a few years ago. But in my opinion, this isn't something that should be judged negatively, as just like we grow up and trade the crazy hairstyles of the early days for a more composed style, the sound may be less explosive now but certainly not inferior. Let's not say they've sold out, at least not before listening to their fifth, self-titled work.
Album rating: 7.5
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Summary by Bot
Mudvayne’s 2009 self-titled album marks a mature phase for the band, softening their earlier aggressive style while maintaining melodic hooks. The album balances alternative guitars and Chad Gray’s intense vocals, showcasing tracks like 'Scream With Me' and 'Dead Inside.' Fans may notice less ferocity compared to older works, but the band’s evolution brings refinement without losing identity.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
03 Scream With Me (02:52)
Ever feel like dying,
Ever feel alone,
Ever feel like crying,
Lost child in a store,
Ever feel life pushing,
Shoving you away,
Ever feel like breaking down,
Funeral in the rain
Feel like slipping away,
Stand in the corner and scream with me,
A body full of empty,
A head thats full of rage,
Better believe it,
Stand in the closet and scream with me
A mind thats like a fire,
Drivin by the pain,
Better believe it
Ever feel like lying,
Down inside a grave,
Listen to the eulogy,
A buyer of the hate,
Ever dance beside the devil,
Taste the barrel of a gauge,
Ever pull the trigger,
The light begins to fade,
Feel like slipping away
Stand in the corner and scream with me,
A body full of empty,
A head thats full of rage,
Better believe it,
Stand in the closet and scream with me
A mind thats like a fire,
Drivin by the pain,
Better believe it
I've asked you for forgiveness,
I've asked you for your grace,
I've asked you for your blessing,
I've asked that I be saved,
Stand in the corner and scream with me,
A body full of empty,
A head thats full of rage,
Better belive it,
Stand in the corner and scream with me,
A body full of empty,
A head thats full of rage,
Better belive it,
Stand in the closet and scream with me
A mind thats like a fire,
Drivin by the pain,
Better believe it
Stand in the corner and scream with me,
A body full of empty,
A head thats full of rage,
Better believe it
Drivin by the pain,
Better believe it
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
