Mushroomhead - XIII (2003)^{Release ID: 7011}

After making 3 albums in the underground, Mushroomhead released their first major-label release XX, which is a compilation of tracks from those 3 albums remastered. That release marks the band's introduction to a more global audience. With that big amount of success achieved, it was time to make their major-label album of new material, the perfect gateway into a new level of fame, XIII!

The songs in this album are more accessible but at the same time more enjoyable. The guitar tunings have been dropped lower to drop B and drop B-flat. The experimental nu/alt-metal has some stoner/grunge-ish elements that are added to make sure nothing sounds too repetitive.

"Kill Tomorrow" is one of my favorite Mushroomhead songs from the breakthrough era, though the quality could've been slightly higher. "Sun Doesn't Rise" is a more commercial single that is still great because the vocal duo singing together in the choruses can get you headbanging in no time. There's some strong muscle in "Mother Machine Gun", but it makes way for some moody piano. Soft emotion covers "Nowhere to Go". Then "Becoming Cold (216)" is another heavy banger.

"One More Day" is the most emotional track here. It moves you along through serene piano, a gothic violin solo, and background female vocals by Devon Gorman. It certainly shows more of the experimental side of early Mushroomhead before the band's usual heaviness returns in subsequent songs. "The Dream is Over" decimates the earlier softness as the heaviest track here, featuring killer growls by Meshuggah vocalist Jens Kidman. The thrashy "The War Inside" has the speediest torment here that only the strongest can survive. "Almost Gone" has a bit of the funky groove of Faith No More. "Eternal" has a bit of the industrial metal of Gothminister added to the brutal heaviness.

"Our Own Way" has the acoustics, piano, and female vocals similar to the other song that features Devon Gorman, but the heavy guitars and growls are still around. The progressive "Destroy the World Around Us" is an intriguing 8-minute epic with slower drama. I feel like that one should've been the final track of the album. Simply because the only track here I consider even remotely weak is the actual final track "Thirteen" which sounds serene until you end up hearing creepy baby laughter. Quite unsettling but doesn't affect the album's perfect score. Some editions have a bonus track before the album's original hidden track, the bonus track being "Along the Way" with a similar vibe to Demon Hunter at that time. Said hidden track "Crazy" is a cover of a Seal song, but it sounds a bit half-baked. One more bonus track "Treason" sounds more like a remix.

I would give this album a score of 96%, those few percentage points being taken off by that unlucky 13th track and the hidden Seal cover. Nonetheless, XIII is one of the greatest, most satisfying albums Mushroomhead has ever done. A fantastic start to their more famous days!

Favorites: "Kill Tomorrow", "Sun Doesn't Rise", "One More Day", "The Dream is Over", "The War Inside", "Eternal", "Destroy the World Around Us", "Along the Way" (bonus track)