Mutiny Within – S/T (2010)
MUTINY WITHIN – DEBUT/SELF TITLED ALBUM LEAVES A HEAVY IMPRINT
MUTINY WITHIN – New Jersey has bred once again, a heavy band that might one day become a household name… and why shouldn’t Mutiny Within attain such status? Anything is possible in the world of Hard & Heavy Music, it’s quality and perseverance that wins out in the end. Thus far, Mutiny Within has proved to my ears, the quality in their slim lined Progressiveness, that they have fused within their Melodic Metalcore. On their debut and self titled album, (released February 23, 2010 on Roadrunner Records), Mutiny Within does take a couple of chances as a band, these chances are: 1: lead vocalist Chris Clancy pronounces the lyrics with surprisingly cool eloquence and 2: there exists the atmospheric and space filled keyboards manned by Drew Stavola.
These two musical characteristics of Mutiny Within are not a rarity in Heavy Metal, rather they are a tad uncommon in Metalcore as a whole. I find both of these attributes to be of significant strengths for Mutiny Within, almost like a breath of fresh Melodic Metalcore air. As technically astute as they are melodic, this band of 6 musicians, almost sound as if they have a couple of polished studio albums under their belts already. I’m not trying to ring the Metal bell here, stating we are welcoming in the next Queensryche or Dream Theater… what Mutiny Within represents to me, is an eclectic mix of Metal styles that are woven together with relevancy, talent and wit.
Awake embarks lyrically on an emotional journey of sorrow, colliding with new found hope. Awake is a definitive and standout “hit” from Mutiny Within. Images encapsulates the harmonious vocals complimented by vocal growling, amidst the progressive keyboards and searing dual guitars. Year Of Affliction begins with a tremendous up tempo, subsiding to subtle keys and then erupting into a volcanic overflow of heaviness, while never losing sight of melodic layering. Lethean without doubt in my ears and mind, scorches like there is no tomorrow, thanks in part to the guitar duo of Daniel Bage and Brandon Jacobs. The exchanging leads and solos are above impressive on Lethean, proving to me that these young guitarists want to make a career out of this.
Only one song hits the 4 minute mark on Mutiny Within which is Suffocate, proving that flirting with progressiveness doesn’t equate to elongated material. Suffocate delves lyrically into a self-psychoanalytical battlefield, a song that can be open to interpretation and to be digested numerous times… this song is that heavily good. Reflections is the album closer, fortified with all the musical elements that Mutiny Within has so fantastically elevated, throughout the other ten songs.
Bill Fore on drums is ever relentless throughout each song, with Andrew Jacobs keeping the pounding rhythmic pace flowing, at every twist and turn. Daniel Bage and Brandon Jacobs can and easily do steal the show during these songs on Mutiny Within, proving convincingly that heavy and melodic really coexist. Has Mutiny Within truly broken any new ground in the world of Metal Music here? Not necessarily, yet how many bands really do nowadays? What Mutiny Within has done here, is weaved through the textured world of progressive music while not letting go of any heavy and fast styles. Add a melodic mindset as the bookends to their songs and it only makes Mutiny Within that much more appealing, so much in fact, I look forward to their 25th anniversary reissue of their debut album… down the Metal road.
You can get this CD for only $5.00. Please visit Mutiny Within’s myspace page to find out how.
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
- Awake
- Images
- Falling Forever
- Year Of Affliction
- Forsaken
- Lethean
- Oblivion
- Undone
- Hours
- Suffocate
- Reflections
Mutiny Within is:
Chris Clancy – Vocals
Brandon Jacobs – Lead Guitar
Dan Bage – Rhythm Guitar
Andrew Jacobs – Bass, Backing Vocals
Bill Fore – Drums
Andrew Stavola – Keyboards
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