Listmania: 20 Years of “L.D. 50” by Mudvayne!

The influence of Mudvayne shouldn’t be underestimated when it comes to Technicality and during in their early records a certain amount of Progressive nature. Born out of the Nu-Metal era and featuring largely introspective lyrics from vocalist Chad Gray, they also made use of polyrhythmic sounds with guitarist Greg Tribbett and bassist Ryan Martine producing sounds that would later be heard stylistically at least from the likes of SikTh. Formed in Peoria Illinois in 1996 they quickly gained a lot of attention for their independently released EP “Kill, I Oughtta” which landed them a deal with major label Epic Records for “L.D. 50” which celebrates 20 years this year. Produced by Garth “GGGarth” Richardson (Rage Against The Machine, Kittie, It Dies Today) with some help from Slipknot percussionist Shawn “Clown” Crahan (40 Below Summer, Gizmachi, Downthesun) it saw the band experiment with dissonant sounds, unhinged vocal rantings and programming, which later on in their career faded out of their sound. So here are a few reasons why “L.D. 50” still holds up today…

…you can’t go far without finding anyone who doesn’t know Brr Brr Ding *ahem* “Dig“. The simplistic yet powerful visuals perfectly balance the all out unhinged fury of Chad Gray’s vocal parts as he cuts a serial killer figure in the video…

…”Great band. Love the song to to scream ratio of their tunes. Spot on. And “Death Blooms” is the best tune” ~ Weaponry guitarist Dan Ashworth

…”LD50 is still as exciting and as fresh it was when it was first released. Tracks like ‘Nothing to Gein’ still blows my mind with the sudden funk transition that unexpectedly kicks you in the groin after an armada of hard hitting riffage. Words can’t describe my love for ‘Internal Primates Forever’. An album that has aged well yet is still ahead of its time.” ~ Gutlocker  vocalist Craig McBrearty

…”LD50 was way more intelligent, complex and engaging than most of the band’s nu-metal peers, both sonically and lyrically. I think the pseudonyms, outfits and make-up made them easy to dismiss, but LD50 (and to a lesser extent The End of All Things to Come) remains fresh to this day” ~ Siderian frontman David Pope