Mutants of war-Product of corruption

Self-produced
2010

Hailing from Chino, California this band was started by former members of Stricken by evil back in 2007. They played their first show after just two weeks of rehearsals. Then they took some time to practice and began playing more shows and they have shared the stage with Exodus, Overkill, Flotsam And Jetsam, Prong, Deicide, D.R.I., Destruction and many others. In 2008 they released a four song demo. After that the band went through several line-up changes. Now with a stable line-up the band have released a new EP "Product of corruption" So let's see what we have here. Opener "Creatures" blasts straight ahead with a style similar to early Testament. It has a great pounding style and has my attention immediately. Up next is "Death Penalty" which reminds me at first of a cross between Death Angel and Exodus. What I liked most about this song were the moments towards the end where instead of just following the same rhythms they instead brought in more ideas and kept the song fresh until the very end. Up next is "Get Gnar" which has a definite late 80's DRI flavor in both the music and the vocals. I was glad to hear the crossover sound and they handled it with just as much fury and finesse as they did the thrash songs. Then comes the title track which begins slowly before taking off and becoming a hard hitting monster. This track might very well be my favorite due to the mix of pace changes and just how seamlessly they switch gears. "Kill 'em with speed" begins at a gallop before erupting full blown into a tight thrash assault. Glad to see a song live up to it's title. Of course this band isn't all about speed because they are technicly tight and not afraid to bring numerous pace changes into every song. Closer "Outbreak of death" might be the most complicated track they present on this EP. It begins with a very Exodus/Death Angel type asault as did a few other songs. Then around 2/3 of the way through we are treated to some Iron Maiden type riffs before the band bursts back into another attack that depends on heaviness as well as speed. Honestly I was impressed by this EP. Not just because it's old style thrash. No, I hear that style all the time and all too often it's presented in a very one dimensional format. What I heard here from Mutants of war is a band who isn't content to just play one style. Instead they have been working on their skills and they are not afraid to spread it out go in different angles at a break neck pace. That's the kind of approach that sets them apart apart just a little form a number of other retro thrash style bands I have heard in recent years. I hope they keep up with that approach and keep sharpening and practicing their skills. I'll look forward to hearing a full length effort from them when a label signs them and gives them the chance they deserve.

http://www.myspace.com/mutantsofwar6