Mammuth - Die to Rise in Spring

Hmmm...maybe it's just the mood I'm in, but this new full length isn't really grabbing me as much as their previous EP did.  This is a solid disc, and while they still have the very heavy Blindside slant to their sound, I have a hard time getting into stuff like Mammuth at times.  I think I can handle it more in small doses and that EP was more along what I enjoy.  But a full album of these whiny, screamo vocals just starts to grate on my nerves a little.  They still follow the emo/hardcore mixed with modern rock feel they had on Embraced, but this seems to be a tad darker.  And while this is still fairly heavy music, it seems like they let up on the gas a little bit in that department.  I don't know, it seems that Mammuth tried to have a somewhat unique identity on Embraced and this one finds them more following the crowd instead of experimenting and forging a more unique flavor to their style.  Fans of Blindside or Selfmindead will probably still dig this band, but for me, after a full listen I'm ready to throw on some extreme metal and purge this stuff out of my head.  If I maybe had another EP with just tracks 3, 4, 10, and 11, I'd probably give this disc a much higher rating.  Those are some really good songs with a good deal of emotion that seems to keep my attention more.  But the rest of the songs, while decent, just kinda....make...my....mind...wander.  Anyways, good release for what it is, I'm just not in the mood this time around.

Rating: 79/100

Review By: Matt Morrow

Label: Talking Music/Brutal Planet Distribution

Total Songs: 11

Total Time: 37:48

Tracklisting: 1. Die to Rise in Spring, 2. Carried By the Wind, 3. Reflecting Light, 4. Blind Man Walking, 5. Consume, 6. When I Fall, 7. My Given Life, 8. Whatevermay, 9. When My Days are Over, 10. Jewel of God, 11. Come Silence.

Best Songs: Tracks 3, 4, 10, & 11

Band Lineup: Daniel Jakobsson, Carl-Magnus Palm, Henrik Olofsson, Daniel Backman, & Mikael Larsson

Band Website: http://www.mammuth.net