Mudvayne return with their 4th album, excluding last year’s B-Sides collection “By The People, For The People.” And what a return indeed. Mudvayne have never been known to stick to the rules, and have changed their appearance, names, style and attitude with every album. Wrongly shoved in with the “nu-metal” lot with debut “LD-50″, their original and fresh take on metal comes full circle with “The New Game.” Every song on this short album (only 43 minutes long) is a sharp, precise slice of vicious metal, and incorporating hooks and melodies that do not distract from the complexity of their music, but compliment it. “Fish Out Of Water” is a great opening track, where funky bass, driving guitar and killer drumming re-introduce Mudvayne after the 4 year wait since “Lost And Found.” Unlike a lot of their albums, it may surprise fans to know that there are no experimental-type tracks often found withing Mudvayne records, where it appears the band have lost their mind ever so slightly. This is pure, concentrated songwriting placed alongside seriously technical music. Something like Meshuggah crossed with Killswitch Engage.
Having producer Date Fortman on board, fresh from producing Slipknot’s “All Hope Is Gone” means that this album, much like “Lost And Found” is extremely well produced, adding depth and colour to the band. “Scarlet Letters” has a sing-a-long chorus to die for, and mostly unheard of on previous releases. “Same Ol” is probably one of the most accessible Mudvayne songs ever recorded, clearly taking inspiration from side project Hellyeah with the chant-like “What? So What!” My favourite track has to be “A New Game”, blistering guitar and drums power through sinister vocals, building up to a very impressive metal solo, and switches totally for an outro that will work it’s way inside your head and stay firmly there.
Mudvayne rarely get the respect they deserve for their music. They are original to the highest degree and hopefully this album will show the world what they are capable of. And just in case this isn’t enough to wet your whistle, they have promised another album of new material in six month’s time.
Fantastic stuff.
[Oxking]
