Music Review: Mutiny Within- Mutiny Within

Vitals:

Name: Mutiny Within

Album: Mutiny Within

Release Date:02/23/2010

Label: Roadrunner Records

Genre: Melodic Death Metal/ Metalcore / Progressive

Articulation

Catchy. Powerful. Memorable. Crisp.

Highlights

“Images“ Put on your shit-stompin’ boots. You’ll absolutely need them for the amount of sludge the intro guitar riff  slops at your feet. Then, just when you get your laces tied, the chorus opens up into this catchy-as-fuck half-time feel  harmonized vocal melody. Songwriting perfection.

“Falling Forever“ 80′s vocal wail right out of the gate. Mutiny Within does Killswitch Engage better than Killswitch Engage does Killswitch Engage. Oh, and the atmospheric piano work in the middle of the song is perfect for fans of the progressive genre. The stuff goosebumps are made of.

“Year of Affliction” Power metal, party of 6 your Mutiny Within is ready.

“Lethean“ Fans of death metal vocals will dig the verse sections of this song. Blistering tempo. Guitarists everywhere will enjoy this track. An entrancing piano section before the outro really takes this song over the top.

“Suffocate“  Pure energy. Love it.

Opinion

Some bands that make the Roadrunner release club are lackluster at best both in skill and also longevity. Mutiny Within is a different animal. This band sounds like they’ve been around the block once or twice and yet it’s their very first album release on a major label. These guys have a stellar career ahead of them if their sophomore release builds on the foundation established with Mutiny Within.

The musicianship standard that is required of today’s “metal band” has now been taken to a whole new level. The recording is spectacularly sparkling with crisp cymbal crashes, guttural death metal growls, tone-throttled tube amps, and just overall studio mastering perfection.

The guitar work is impressive on Mutiny Within. Both guitarists have created a product that will inspire players everywhere to get busy tabbing these songs in Guitar Pro. Brilliant ability and skills showcased.  The vocals are so incredible it’s not even funny. Where did this guy come from? He’s blessed with a gift, without a doubt. Honestly I could go on and on about each instrument and deconstruct and dissect every musical component… but in the end, I’d still come to the same conclusion: “This is fucking awesome music.”

At first listen I was unimpressed. It sounded like another band trying to rip off Killswitch Engage. However, throughout my repeated listens to the album in its entirety, it became starkly clear that I had my snobby head up my ass initially. Sure, there are elements of Killswitch present, but also a blend of Soilwork, In Flames (credit: HeavyMattL), Unearth, All Shall Perish, et al. It’s a veritable genre-encompassing metal smoothie.

The more I listen to Mutiny Within the more I pick out subtle musical nuances that eluded me before. The only other band that pulls that off is Dream Theater, at least for me. That’s huge.

For a new band to blister onto the scene with such capability is rare. Mutiny Within are even appearing alongside Dream Theater, Opeth, Taken Dawn, Trivium, and Killswitch Engage on the video game soundtrack for God of War 3. That’s epic. \m/

Rating

(4.5/5)

Replay Value: Extremely High

Recommend? YES