the Melvins

The Maggot

Increase Font Size
Decrease Font Size

Editor's Review:

The Melvins used to be known as the loudest band in the world, and that was no joke. Seriously. These days, they might not hold the loudest-band-in-the-world title, but they are still one of the best of the loudest bands in the world. Fronted by big-hared, big rockin’ Buzz "King Buzzo" Osborne, and featuring longtime Melvin, Dale Crover on drums, and new bassist Kevin Rutmantis (formerly of the Cows), The Melvins have been making good music since 1981, and though it may not be for everyone, the sounds that this band has created over the years has impressed and enthralled many. The latest release from this die-hard power trio is titled The Maggot, and is a fast and furious jaunt through heavy metal country, though you could call it flavor country.

Mixing a satirical viewpoint of the genre with songwriting that is very seriously real, The Melvins pound out a good 45 minutes of bone crunching metal, replete with requisite power chord riff-mongering, floor rattling resonant bass and a full-force percussive assault. But keep in mind that this is an album by The Melvins, spawned mainly from the brain of King Buzzo, and therefore cannot be a normal heavy metal album. Oh, no. Beyond the power chords, riff mongering in instrumental unison and the hard gate of heavy metal music, the songwriting of King Buzzo is inventive and fresh, and when mixed with his sense of humor, can have genius results of thunderous proportions.

Incidentally, The Maggot is the first in a trilogy to be released within the next five months, part of The Melvins’ self-professed quest to commit career suicide. Expect more eclectic madness from the two future releases, The Bootlicker and The Crybaby.

– Max Sidman

Write Your Own Review

Bookmark: