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Mushroomhead

The Righteous & The Butterfly

Written by: EL on 20/09/2014 14:38:49

Entering their third decade as a band, Mushroomhead have returned with their eighth studio album. Having suffered some painful losses, most notably the death of drummer Steve “Skinny” Felton’s wife and their original guitarist J.J. Righteous, the band obviously had a lot of healing to do and this album may suit as a fitting tribute to them. In this album we see the return harsh vocalist Jason “J Mann” Popson and the unexpected addition of long term rival, Anders Colsefni, formerly of Slipknot, now vocalist of Painface. I guess their long running feud is finally behind them.

“The Righteous & The Butterfly”, as a whole, is much heavier and grittier than their previous work. Opening up the album with some punchy double kicks and serious mechanical, industrial overtones are tracks “Our Apologies” and “How Many Times” which feature three vocalists, Jeffrey “Nothing” Hatrix, Waylon Reavis and J Mann offers for an intriguing mix of energies and vocals styles.

Jeffrey Nothing as a demented Ringmaster who is having a bad day leads “Qwerty” in this heavy, gritty, circus song. It is creepy and works as a manic clockwork. Moving away from the circus, we fall into the melodic musings of “Portraits of the Poor” which is layered with a melancholic piano sucking you into an imaginative, darkened landscape. It is an ode to their loved ones who they have lost and is a fitting tribute to the fallen.

“Childlike” follows with what I can only describe as an unsettling track. It started off as a beautiful piano ballad and ended up as an unnerving and annoying piece that I instantly wanted to switch off all because of a baby’s disturbing laugh. In what can only described as a bipolar episode in the middle of the album, “This Cold Reign” takes over by turning up the heat and serves as a mood changer for the rest of the album. It is vastly heavier than the first half of the album and serves as a powerful intermission.

“We Are The Truth”, introduces Jackie Laponza of Unsaid Fate. It’s upbeat, punchy and has attitude. With her vocals adding a new level of energy to the album, this song stands out among the rest. The refrain especially is catchy and thoroughly enjoyable to listen to.

The final song of the album is an unexpected addition to such a moody, chug heavy album. Their cover of Adele’s “Rumour Has It” makes for quite a hilarious ending to an album, and perhaps puts the integrity of the album at risk, as it is such a pointless addition to have to such a carefully constructed album.

Overall I think Mushroomhead have certainly created an impressive eighth album, and that’s an impressive feat in itself as the same can’t be said for many bands that have been around this long. With this album you will find some really head bangers and some sorrowful swan songs, all in all an interesting mix of fresh sounds.

Download: Qwerty, Son Of Seven, This Cold Reign
For The Fans Of: Hellyeah, Dry Kill Logic, Mudvayne
Listen: facebook.com

Release date 13.05.2014
Megaforce