Mudvayne

I am constantly re-discovering my favorite bands. This week it seems to be metal band Mudvayne.

The first thing that you will notice about the band is the phenomenal musicianship of the Matthew McDonough (drums) and Ryan Martinie (bass). Both have distinctive styles that mesh well together when holding down the beat for their intense form of music. Any musician or educated listener will instantly identify them as masters of their instruments.

Chad Grey (vocals) and Greg Tribbett (guitars) are excellent players as well but seem to be more standard than the other members. While they also contribute to the bands feel and tone they have an more approachable (and/or duplicated) style.

L.D. 50 (2000). The album is the most distinctive of the discography. There seems to be a medicated, deranged, and forgotten overtone to the album. The music style is raw but clear in its intent. The bass is relentless and the vocals are charmingly chaotic. There also seems to be a pig/oink/grunt sound present in the mix that adds to the albums guttural feel. This time in the bands history was marked by theatrics which was shown through the use of make-up and costumes.

The End of All Things to Come (2002). While it is a bit more polished than the previous album the intensity remains intact. It is evident that the maturity of the band, the willingness to evolve, and their musical professionalism is not a flash-in-the-pan. All four instruments seem to coexist in this offering while their previous album sounded as if each combated one another. This gives us the impression that the band has developed one focused goal. This album also comes across as a little more radio friendly. It seems that these songs are more approachable than the others. This era also marks a turn away from the make-up and costumes the band previously displayed.

Lost and Found (2005). Even more polished and cohesive Lost and Found brings us the most melodic album to date but also the most straight forward. Mudvayne does not change its projection much from The End of All Things to Come. What is different, though, is the texture of the album. It seems to be recording differently which allows for the sound to be louder then their previous disks. The guitar also seems to take on more of a presence in the band. While not overpowering the rest of the instruments it comes from a more hardcore/thrash perspective.

By the People, For the People (2007). I have yet to hear this album except for the new song released. From what I can gather it is a collection of live tracks selected by fans. The new song "Dull Boy" doesn't seem to reach past the last album. The exception to the song is the excellent bass work that has come to be expected by Ryan Martinie.

Upcoming release Shades of Grey is projected to be released in 2008 and is, as least by me, highly anticipated.

Mudvayne has trudged through a time in heavy music history which consisted of nu-metal, metalcore, thrash, and hardcore. Their perseverance as a band with one goal and their ability to evolve through musical genres have proven that Mudvayne is more than the tag lines placed upon them. Their musicianship, maturity, and experience has given them sustainability in a business that sees many new faces and sounds appear and disappear just as quickly.