Mudvayne

It's unfortunate when an innovative idea for artwork actually proves to be more interesting than the music it's supporting. With their fifth full-length, metal-tinged rockers Mudvayne have brought on tattoo artist Paul Booth to create black light images for their album, which are only viewable with a special light. It's cool, 'cause when you look at the CD all you see is white until flicking the bullet-shaped source across it. There's a gag in there about how the whitewash of the cover says something about the band's flaccid, radio-friendly hard rock, but suffice it to say that once again, these guys unite Tool-influenced riffs, sterility and staccato pacing with the not-metal-guys-trying-to-be-metal feel of Disturbed and so on. There are moments where the band get into a thick onslaught of a groove, but they quickly destroy it with weak poppiness laid overtop. It makes each tune feel like pouring sugar into a bottle of rubbing alcohol in hopes that it tastes better. Factor in some of that mid-'90s Slaves On Dope chug with Linkin Park's vocal style and, well, you see why Booth's visuals are the most impressive aspect of this release.