About.com Rating

The Bottom Line

With two members of Big Business still supporting their rhythm section, this legendary band continues to write energetic, memorable songs unlike any other band. Though catchy like the Beatles, and bottom-heavy like Black Sabbath, The Bride Screamed Murder is further evidence that they’re actually best characterized by their insane, playful approach to music.



Pros

• Addictive hooks.
• Significantly dynamic and textured songwriting.

Cons

• None.

Description

• Released June 1st, 2010 on Ipecac Recordings.
• This is their 20th studio release.
• Kurt Cobain of Nirvana was once a roadie for the Melvins. He also auditioned to be their bassist, but didn’t make the cut.

Guide Review - Melvins - 'The Bride Screamed Murder'

With The Bride Screamed Murder, the Melvins return with yet another gem of, well, if anyone defies genre classification, it’s the Melvins, who have been going strong for over 25 years with drummer Dale Crover and founding singer/guitarist Buzz Osborne. They are the pioneers of grunge and sludge metal, and their output has included formidable reflections of noise and experimental rock, doom metal and stoner rock.

In 2006, the ever restless band enlisted the services of bassist/vocalist Jared Warren and drummer Coady Willis, both of Big Business, a move that has energized the Melvins. With a super sized drumming backbone (Willis joined longtime drummer Dale Crover for a two-pronged attack), their music has obviously developed in a decidedly more percussive direction.

Mellifluously gliding through tempos and clearly recognizable styles, The Bride Screamed Murder (an album title that oddly sounds more metalcore than Melvins) is dynamic, diverse and enjoyable for the entire ride. They’ve always been capable of crafting crushing, well-written doom metal, but what sets it apart from traditional doom bands is their fun-loving, playful nature and ability to web that facet into pop rock territory.

Reminiscent of their more accessible, extremely catchy Stoner Witch/Stag era, “Evil New War God” rocks on before the most mysterious, evil Sabbath doom riff imaginable oozes in. It goes in one ear and remains in the gray matter long after the music has stopped playing.

“I’ll Finish You Off,” meanwhile, stands as a direct bridge between Black Sabbath and Down (um, the only difference being that it sounds like Alvin and the Chipmunks are singing half the song).

A quarter of a century down the road, they don’t show any signs of slowing down or putting out subpar material. Like the Energizer bunny, the Melvins just keep going, and going, and going…



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