Mudvayne

Mudvayne

BY Keith CarmanPublished Jan 23, 2010

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.
(Epic)

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