Ever need the perfect album to release your aggression when you have 2 quizzes, 1 prelim, and 3 papers due by next Monday? If you do, Stereomud seems to be one band that will happily provide the soundtrack to your anger. On the band’s second release, Every Given Moment, singer Erik Rogers rants and screams and yells and … well, you get the picture.
The album is a collection of heavy metal and hard rock (yes, there is a difference) tracks that are reminiscent of such bands as Disturbed and Sevendust. “Anything but Jesus” finds Rogers declaring “I don’t want to be Jesus in your lost head” with a throaty rage that matches the aggressive guitars in the background. Rogers also shows the softer side of his voice in such rock anthems as “Breathing,” and “Show Me.” Don’t expect these songs to be tranquil though; there isn’t a ballad on Every Given Moment.
“Drop Down” is the pinnacle of the band’s hostile ear assault, with Rogers shouting out things like “heretic genetic a new condition/ your twisted mind drops down.” While I really have no idea what that’s supposed to mean, the song almost makes you want to form the sign of the devil with your hands and jump into a mosh pit.
The majority of the songs aren’t quite as blaringly loud as “Drop Down” and seem to be a more accessible brand of rock that caters perfectly to the angry-high-school boy audience from which Stereomud will most likely find its largest fanbase. Rogers’ displays his vocal abilities much better when singing normally, rather than when he’s screaming at the top of his lungs.
Because Stereomud sounds a lot like other contemporary heavy bands, their sound is likely to appeal to the average OzzFest attendee. But, hey, what’s wrong with that?
Archived article by Ariel Ronneburger