LIVE REVIEW

Mudvayne @ The Wiltern Theatre, Hollywood Ca.

By: Gian Erguiza - December, 2008

Mainman Chad Gray, looking authoritative and menacing as ever, steps onto the microphone and looks over the crowd. "Im glad to be back and playing with these guys again!" Chad exclaims with an enthusiastic tone and a look of satisfaction as if he's come home from a long journey without the band. True to the fact as Chad has been fronting his other project along with guitarist Greg Tribbett in Hellyeah, who also includes the Vinnie Paul of Pantera/Damage Plan on drums, Bobzilla of Damageplan on bass, and Tony Maxwell Of Nothingface on guitars. Chad gives the crowd another 'let's go!' on the microphone and the band goes on to relentlessly pummel the crowd for the rest of the night.

Mudvayne's 'The New Game' which saw a worldwide release on November 18th has currently sold 48,000 copies which these days can be considered triple platinum considering the circumstances. The band's myspace page consequently has a special blog message to their fans for buying the record with a notable mention also to the fans 'Who have gone crazy at our shows.' Considerably nothing close to their previous effort which moved somwhere between 200 to 300 thousand units but who's to say....it's still early and Mudvayne is nothing to be counted out. Mudvayne is the real deal, do not be fooled by these numbers.

Last minute changes in venues may have caused a slight delay in attendance. After opening bands set the tone for the rest of the night, the Wiltern packed in and got ready for Mudvayne. As the crowd dazzled at the dark stage adorned with strobe lights and back drop, the crowd grew anxious for a shadow to step out. Once the shadow stepped out of the dark, the mood was set.

A roar of voices suddenly erupts as drummer Matthew McDonough takes his seat and the rest of the guys take to their respective positions. To my anticipation, I had wished for wild get up as Chad usually delivers and Chad of course delivered with a headless Elmo outfit, a half painted face, sporting a bright red mohawk. That's classic Chad right there! Guitarist Greg Tribett also had my curiosity with a black top hat, black hollowed goggles rounded out by black teardrops coming down his cheeks. Mudvayne has arrived!

Set list starts off with 'Not Falling' which my co-conspirator Roe started a pit to, yes, she is super duper cool like that. Mind you not, she is a woman armed with elbows and knees, watch out! I myself was right up front, snapping shots and watching my back. Boy did that song sound great!

Over the course of the set, some old songs managed their way on the set list. Song such as 'Happy' and other songs really got the crowd riled up. The crowd seemed to obviously enjoy the older stuff which was no surprise to me as I enjoyed the older songs much better thatn the new ones. Nto that there's anything wrong with the newer ones but the old ones brought me back.

I have to say, Ryan Martinie has official become one of my favorite bassists of today. The man can definitely walk his fingers on his 5 string bass like a spider out for his prey. Ryan is an absolute phenom on that bass!

Throughout the night, you could just imagine what a metal show had in store and with Mudvayne driving the ship, they mercilessly destroyed the Wiltern. Bottles were being hurled onstage in the ensuing mele, crowd surfing, although not allowed at The Wiltern, was happening and the mosh pits along with Chad's mosh pit calls were simply vicious.

The last song of the night was 'Dig' which presumable drew the largest pit of the night with the best crowd response. I'm glad to say that Mudvayne has not lost a step and playing 'Dig' as the last song for the night keeps them real grounded. It is their best song ever right?

I really wished and anxiously waited for an encore but sadly, it was over way too soon. Satisfied, my co-conspirator and I piled out of The Wiltern with the rest of the crowd and went on our way back home. I loved every moment of the show and I'm glad to say that Mudvayne is back in action............suckas!

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