New York's heavy metal supergroup Mutoid Man were new to me before I even listened to a note of their latest release Mutants, but I'll say I was instantly impressed with their blend of intricate, almost proggy guitar theatrics, and pummeling hardcore/punk/metal intensity. The band features Stephen Brodsky on vocals and guitars (Cave In), drummer Ben Koller (Converge), and bassist Jeff Matz (High on Fire), so plenty of pedigree there. Mutants is a relentless album, chock full of incredible guitar work, whether it be crushing, technical riffs or blazing lead work, and the rhythms are acrobatic and dynamic. Vocals fluctuate between soaring, clean melodic style and the occasional harsh bark or scream, which is where the hardcore element comes in. Think Mastodon's early albums for a reference point on the vocal front. Brodsky's clean vocals are actually very well done and highly accessible, and he's in fine form on the heavy yet melodic crushers "all of the Void" and "Siren Song". On "Frozen Hearts" he utilizes both styles, and it really works, but when he turns that melodic voice into another instrument as on the herky-jerky face melter "Graveyard Love", it's unlike anything I've heard of late in the world of technical metal. Other highlights include the bulldozing "Unborn", the 'Pantera-on-acid' "Demons", and the groovy, grinding "Memory Hole", each one just oozing with wild riffing, jaw-dropping leads, and pummeling drum fills.
To quote from my good friend Martin Popoff, Mutants definitely seems like an example of 'smarty pants metal', and I think that Mutoid Man are definitely on to something here.
Track Listing
1.
Call of the Void 03:59
2.
Frozen Hearts 02:57
3.
Broken Glass Ceiling 04:12
4.
Siren Song 03:33
5.
Graveyard Love 03:01
6.
Unborn 04:44
7.
Siphon 03:03
8.
Demons 02:47
9.
Memory Hole 04:02
10.
Setting Sun 05:44
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