When upon hearing rumors that the self titled Mudvayne release was going to be their hardest release since 2002’s “The End of All Things To Come”, it was naturally if this critic scoffed at that idea. Since releasing that album, the band has released a solid, if not unspectacular hard rock album (2005’s “Lost & Found”), followed by a subpar side project debut (yep, Hellyeah’s album was the most one dimensional record I might have heard in a long time) and then a snoozefest with their 2008 record “The New Game”.
So, needless to say, Mudvayne’s stock had fallen a bit over the past few years. But with their self titled record, Chad Gray and company put forth their best effort since that 2002 record, and has more in common with the band’s early releases than the past few records.
One difference that this album has is the re-emergence of the sound of bassist Ryan Martinie and drummer Matt McDonough, which had been lost to a degree on the past few records. The two musicians have given Mudvayne the band’s backbone early on, and on songs like “Beyond the Pale” and “1000 Mile Journey”- which sounds like an updated version of the “LD 50” days.
There seems to be more texture and musical showmanship on this record, versus the full throttle assault of the past records. With some bands, that approach works, but with Mudvayne, they are far too skilled to just ram an album down our throats. Some of the songs don’t work- such as “All Talk”, which sounds like a Hellyeah throwaway, but songs like “Burn The Bridge” offset the so-so material.
Is the self titled record, which was originally supposed to be out in the summer, the album that gets the people off the fence from the band’s subpar work the past couple of outings? It wont get all of them off the fence, but should get at least a few listening again and shows what this band can do once again.
As the snow started to howl on the lakefront of Lake Erie, the warm confines of the House of Blues in Cleveland was packed as hometown band Chimaira delivered a pounding 80 minute set that was being taped for a future live DVD, due out sometime in 2010.
As singer Mark Hunter and company launched into the opening trio of “Venom Inside”, “Resurrection” and the calling card song “Power Trip”, the fans in the overpacked mosh pit flailed around and smashing into each other as the band delivered their usual dose of furious metalcore.
The band has been touring relentlessly behind the April release of their latest album “The Infection”. Tracks like “Destroy & Dominate” and “The Disappearing Sun” showed the darker, sludgier side of the band’s dynamic. The new songs were wildly accepted by the fans and showed a few new wrinkles with the band.
For the upcoming DVD, the band even busted out a few tunes from their 2000 debut EP, “This Present Darkness”, which is almost never touched on during a usual show for the band. But by playing more recent bangers like “Nothing Remains” and “The Dehumanizing Process” sprinkled around them, you didn’t have to wait long to hear something you knew, even if you didn’t know the material on the debut EP.
If you are a major Chimaira fan, this would have been the event for you. Many times, the band plays the support role for another band is generally limited to 35 or 40 minutes. The yearly Christmas shows are a good chance to see the band at the fullest of their capabilities and show the band’s full fury live as well. If you get a few days off next year and really into the band, it’s definitely worth the three hour trip.
Finally, the 2000’s are just about done and it couldn’t come any sooner. Things basically took a dump and we can only hope the 10’s will be a lot better for a lot of people. But as we gear up for the new decade, we focus in on 2010 and what this year could bring as far as hard rock and metal are concerned. After a stellar 2009, 2010 could go either way in terms of quality heavy music this year. So, with this article, we’ll run down the big albums and tours that are taking place or rumored ideas for upcoming tours in 2010.
(Disclaimer: I am not Jay Glazer from Fox Sports, or some music news version of Nostradamus- if some of these things don’t come out in time or a tour doesn’t come to fruition- don’t blame me! I am just going on rumored information that has been discussed- take everything with a grain of salt.)
Albums:
-Rob Zombie will finally release “Hellbilly Delxue 2” on February 2nd.This is Zombie’s first release in almost 4 years and will hopefully be better than “Educated Horses”. It wont take much.
-Fear Factory- Mechanized- The first album with original Fear Factory founders Burton Bell and Dino Cazares in almost 10 years hits shelves on Feb. 9th. If you’ve had a chance to hear the first single, “Powershifter”, sounds like FF is wasting no time getting back to their old ways.
-Coheed & Cambria- Year Of The Black Rainbow- Even though their last record was the supposed end of their concept cycle, their new album (due out in the spring) plans on being a prequel to the other records. Kinda like “The Phantom Menace” but hopefully not as bad.
-After they knocked it out of the park with “Ire Works”, Dillinger Escape Plan will be back in March with their new album “Option Paralysis”. There are already plenty of new tunes that the band has been road tested and a lot of the clips are on You Tube- check them out and see what you think.
-Bleeding Through- Not much is known as the band is now back in the studio, for their first album for start-up label Rise Records. Most likely due in the fall.
-Ozzy Osbourne: The jokes have already started as Ozzy has decided to call his new album “Soul Sucka”. Longtime guitarist Zakk Wylde is gone and with the past transgressions from the former Prince of Darkness, Ozzy has a steep climb to find metalhead respect on this record.
-Stone Sour: Corey Taylor’s other band has just recently entered the studio for what is being scheduled as a fall release.
-Bring Me The Horizon: 2009 and the Taste of Chaos tour was a breakthrough for the English metalcore upstarts. Their new album is schedule for a summer release, in time for their appearance on the Warped Tour.
-Hellyeah: Good news, bad news. Bad news is that Mudvayne wont be touring behind their latest records. Well, the good news is that Chad Gray and Greg Tribbett’s other project with Vinnie Paul, Hellyeah, will be release an album in the summer. Hopefully, it’s a more complete record than the hit or miss debut record.
-As I Lay Dying: The band’s new album is supposedly halfway done, and the band will wait until spring to release their follow up to “An Ocean Between Us”.
-Airbourne: Their last record, “Runnin’ Wild” was the best AC/DC record that they didn’t put out in decades. Good news for fans, their second album “No Guts, No Glory” is due out February 23rd. Hopefully, we wont be disappointed.
Dates For Upcoming Metal Tours: Between the Buried & Me: January 23rd at the Magic Stick.
American Carnage Tour (Slayer, Megadeth & Testament): February 6th at Cobo Arena
Five Finger Death Punch/ Shadows Fall: February 12th at the Machine Shop in Flint
Killswitch Engage/ Devil Wears Prada: February 20th at Royal Oak Theater
Unearth/ Attictus Metal Tour: March (venue to be determined)
Pusicifer: March 23rd and 24th at Royal Oak Theater
Overkill/Evile/Vader: April 8th at Blondie’s
Warped Tour (Confirmed): Every Time I Die, Dillinger Escape Plan, Bring Me The Horizon, Suicide Silence and more: July 30th at Comerica park
Ok, so we all know Christmas and New Year’s are a busy time to spend with family. But let’s be honest, after Christmas Day- you tend to get a little bored of the family, and in some cases, just ready to run away from them screaming.I am here to tell you that you don’t have to be subjected to year end shows on TV or lame college football games (the only ones that count aren’t til January 1st or after, except that Alamo Bowl with Michigan State on Jan. 2nd- still doesn’t mean anything). There are some options for fans of heavy music to enjoy during the week between Christmas and New Years Day. There isn’t any big arena show or anything like there used to be, but there are a few shows worth checking out during that week. Here’s a lowdown of some of them:
Crud- The Ritz (December 23rd)- This is the third annual “Cruddy” Christmas show at the Ritz. Former Sponge lead singer Vinnie Dombrowski leads this more industrial hard rock tinged band as they have become a local fixture, much like Sponge did. Also, check out the band’s song “Devil At The Wheel” in the trailer for the new “Sherlock Holmes” movie. Seriously… (tickets are $12, and available at the door.)
Few & Far Between- Magic Stick (December 26th)- The Indiana based hardcore band is playing a few shows in the area before the new year begins. The band is back in the studio after a four year hiatus, and will be giving area copies of their new EP with admission into the show. (tickets are $12 and are available at www.ticketmaster.com).
ROAD TRIP ALERT: Chimaira Christmas 10- House of Blues (Cleveland) December 27th)- If you’re willing to drive three hours on a night where there is surely else nothing going on, traveling to the Mistake on the Lake might be your ticket. Except the band to hammer through tracks from this year’s “The Infection” album, as well as some older killer cuts as well. This will be filmed for a live DVD out in 2010. If weather prevails, you just might be getting a review of this show next week. (Tickets are $18 and available at www.hob.com).
Pop Evil- Crofoot Ballroom (December 31st)- For the guys in the Grand Rapids based band, 2009 was Pop Evil’s first foray into what the big time could look like for them. With their “Lipstick on the Mirror” album working its way around the rock crowds, 2010 could be another year where Pop Evil sees growth on a successful 2009. (Tickets are $15 and available at www.ticketweb.com).
Anvil- The Crofoot (January 9th)- I am sure Lips and Robb from Anvil will never forget 2009- the year where their documentary received rave reviews and gave the band a second lease on life and scored them opening gigs on AC/DC’s tour. Who knows if 2010 will provide the same sort of fireworks, but this will be another good chance to see the documentary (again) and see Anvil’s live chops as well. (Tickets are $15, available at www.ticketweb.com)
Metal Fest- Harpo’s (January 16th)- Not many of the local bands that will grace the 2 stage event have been announced yet- gotta wait until the first part of the January in order for that. But Chicago’s (and recent interview subject of mine) Janus has been tapped to headline the show. (Tickets are $12, available at www.ticketmaster.com).
Wednesday 13- Blondie’s (January 19th)- The ex-Murderdolls singer will be pulling double duty on this show, with a set of his own music, as well as a set by his side project Gunfire 76. Double dose of goth sleaze metal that will bring the cowboy hat and dreadlock crowd to Blondie’s that night. (Tickets are $13, available at www.ticketmaster.com.)
Devildriver- Machine Shop (January 22nd)-After ripping through Harpo’s in late summer, Dez and company head to the friendly confines of the Machine Shop for a killer small market tour that includes Goatwhore and Suffocation. Might need your crapkickers for this show. (Tickets are $20, available at www.etix.com).
Between the Buried And Me- Magic Stick (January 23rd)- As far as prog-metal goes is concerned, Alaska’s Between the Buried and Me is rising to the top of the pack. With their latest record, “The Great Misdirect”, metal critics lost control of their bodily fluids over this album. The tour will also features ex-Strapping Young Lad’s Devin Townsend’s new project, but Devin’s skullet is now sadly a thing of the past. (Tickets are $15, available at www.ticketmaster.com).
Emmure- Magic Stick (January 27th)- I don’t think I ever had a backlash on a review after I reviewed Emmure’s new record “Felony”. The underground hardcore heroes bring their guttural fury to the Stick with old school hardcore heroes Terror in tow as well. Somebody’s getting hurt at this one for sure. (Tickets are $13, available at www.ticketmaster.com).
Exodus- Machine Shop (January 28th)- The old school Bay Area thrashers are busy as can be these days, with re-releasing their “Bonded By Blood” record in ’09, and scheduled to put out a new record in 2010. Also along for the bill are Maryland tech-metal upstarts Arsis and Mutiny Within. (Tickets are $15, available at www.etix.com).
Pentagram- Blondie’s (January 29th)- For the doom metal category, these guys from Virginia are as about as old school as you can get. The band, who last released an album in 2004, will be set to put out their next album, “Last Rites” sometime in 2010. Fellow doom metallers The Gates of Slumber open. (Tickets are $20, available at www.ticketmaster.com).
You'll find out everything you need to know from what I post. Lots of interviews, show previews, album reviews and just plain on ranting and raving on occasion.
