Mushroomhead - SuperBuick (1996)^{Release ID: 7007}

The earlier albums by Mushroomhead were practically unknown. You gotta admit how underrated this industrial-infused nu/alt-metal band is, compared to the more popular aesthetically identical Slipknot. Back then, these Clevelanders were starting their underground business before that Iowan band was even heard of. Mushroomhead pretty much invented the idea of a nu metal band wearing horror masks and costumes, though of course, that aspect has already existed in other genres like black metal.

Buick is a cool car name. My dad owned one when he was young. However, Superbuick is a super cool name! The band's second album was self-produced with help from Bill Korecky. It is a shorter album without a useless 12-minute medley and, like their debut and their 3rd album M3, would have some songs appear in the compilation XX.

The first song "Bwomp" has some of the greatest lyrics in the album. Jason Popson performs a rapping verse with some amusing lyrics ("If it was up to me, I'd free Charles Manson"). Then later, Jeffrey Hatrix yells out his own lyrics in the killer breakdown ("Laughed at religion long ago, I doubt I'll be an angel when I die". Fantastic start! Then "Never Let It Go" continues this perfect blend of beautiful melody and dark heaviness that would maintain its greatness in the XX remastering. Next up, "These Filthy Hands" has keyboards shining over the guitars for an eerie effect. The creepy drama from the piano is more apparent in "The Wrist", another highlight. If you can't go past the spookiness that track has, then why are you still here!?

The piano horror/drama doesn't stop in "Chancre Sore", which once again keeps its quality together when remastered in XX. "Flattened" is more unpredictable, even when it's mostly a piano-emphasized ballad. "Big Brother" shows how well the band can add experimental twists into alt-metal long before Twelve Foot Ninja would do the same thing. "Idle Worship" is another track that shall be worshipped by members of the experimental alt-metal fanbase circle. This is the kind of a song that would ask fans of the genre the following question, "Are you in or are you out?"

"Fear Held Dear" is a slow sludge-ish track, a bit like Will Haven, though the experimental alt-metal aspects are still dominant. To be honest, I don't know if "Unintended" was intended to be the album's outro. I mean, it does sound like it should be the outro, but then we have one more track... That final track being a reprise of "Bwomp". Should've been different placed, but it's still as perfect as the main song.

Newcomers should be prepared for the experimentation the band has to offer, and once they're used to it, they'll find greatness within. But if they don't like it, they should at least listen before cursing it out. As great as this album is, I feel like the production quality, guitars, and vocals could've been improved. Still cool either way. And that's all....

Favorites: "Bwomp", "Never Let It Go", "The Wrist", "Big Brother", "Idle Worship", "Bwomp (Reprise)"