#war moans

We’re proud of all our artists’ releases from the last year. A completion of some notable ‘Best of 2017′ mentions listed below.

Mutoid Man ft. Chelsea Wolfe - Bandages

#1. Mutoid Man – War Moans: Brooklyn, New York power trio Mutoid Man formed in 2012 and was initially recognized as a side project featuring members of Converge and Cave In, but rapidly carved out their own identity with the 2013 debut EP ‘Helium Head’ and the 2015 full-length ‘Bleeder’, and in 2017 they left no stone unturned in stamping the authority of the Mutoid Man name. Their second LP ‘War Moans’ arrived this year and formed a vice-like grip straightaway upon anyone and everyone who gave it a listen, only strengthening it several fold with every subsequent listen. Combining elements of thrash, hardcore,  prog and math rock with sprinklings of many other styles and sub-genre, ‘War Moans’ boasts the organic feel of a typical power trio but at the same time defies the simplicity of Mutoid Man’s three-piece setup with song structures and sonic patterns so rich, dynamic and complex. With 12 instantly mesmerizing tunes, this one is a winner from start to finish, and simply does not fade away till the very end. Vocalist/guitarist Stephen Brodsky puts in the absolute best recording performance of the year bar none, as do drummer Ben Koller and bassist Nick Cageao on their respective instruments, and together, they have created the best album of 2017. ‘War Moans’ triumphs over all else that surfaced this year in the world of heavy music.

Mutoid Man will be breaking the law at Roadburn Festival on Friday, April 20.

Mutoid Man, the hyperactive supergroup spearheaded by Cave In singer/guitarist Stephen Brodsky and Converge drummer Ben Koller, skillfully rides the rail between highbrow progcore and knuckleheaded hesher rock. Their second full-length is full of ripping, sub-three-minute rollercoaster rides jam-packed with finger-twisting riffs, head-snapping tempo shifts, oddball time signatures and jackhammer rhythms. Add in some well-placed, left-field guest spots – former Megadeth shredder Marty Friedman unleashes fury on the epic title track; Chelsea Wolfe lends her ethereal vocals to the crushing power-ballad closer "Bandages" – and you have an album that sounds like it was probably as much fun to make as it is to listen to. You can even hear Brodsky laughing in "Kiss of Death." R.B.