The Maggot

After a stint of superb major label releases in the mid 90s ("Houdini", "Stoner Witch" and "Stag") the Melvins were under pressure to maintain form. Never ones to stick to one sound, and always inclined to create off-centre weirdness, they responded with the rather jumbled "Honky" in 97. Two years down the line and on Mike Patton's Ipecap label they released "The Maggot", a thunderous return to glory, combining Buzzo's idiosyncratic huge riffs, sumptuous vocal harmonies and experimental craziness.The album is structured as one large song, sprawling through movements of classic rock, experimentalism, slogging sludge metal and punk-come-thrash. This may sound daunting and potentially terrible, but if any band can draw together such an album it is the eccentric talents of the Melvins. The two-part "Amazon" piece kicks the album off in style, shifting from fast paced thrash with psychedelic vocals (wild but wonderful), into classic Melvins sludge riffing merged with menacing vocals from Buzzo. From then on to the thundering climax of "See How Pretty, See How Smart" the album delivers consistent excellence. This is most notably found in the album's central piece, the cover of Fleetwood Mac's "The Green Manalishi". The song is given such a remarkable makeover, with Buzzo flourishing in the sprawling riffs and ghostly vocal melodies. This remains one of my favourite Melvins songs to date, and one of the best classic rock covers I have ever heard - a triumph to the band's ability."The Maggot" was a great return to the heights of "Houdini" and "Stoner Witch". Combining all the elements that make the band special - intriguing structuring, big riffs, big vocals, experimentation...everything is there for the Melvins fan, or those that desire something a little different.

Hard and heavy album from Melvins. Awesome!

メルヴィンズ三部作の中で、最も従来のメルヴィンズサウンドに近い。渾然一体となったへヴィグルーヴが襲いかかってくる。ストーナー、スラッジを越えて、へヴィロック好き必聴の名盤。ところで、なぜかこのアルバム1つの曲が、半分づつにわけられてます。だから16曲でも、実際は8曲。音があまりに真剣過ぎたから遊びを入れたかったのか？

Great

It doesn't get heavier than the Melvins, and the Melvins don't get heavier than "the maggot."

Thanks