XX
Mushroomhead · 2001
68 min · 15 tracks · industrial metal
A chaotic blend of industrial metal with theatrical elements, echoing a sense of disillusionment and raw emotional intensity.
Top tracks — play these first
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Before I Die — Opening with haunting melodies and powerful vocals, this track encapsulates the album's dark themes of mortality and despair while showcasing the band’s signature style.
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Bwomp — With its aggressive riffs and infectious chorus, this track became one of Mushroomhead's most recognizable songs, often highlighting their unique ability to merge heavy metal with catchy hooks.
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The New Cult King — This track features complex rhythms and introspective lyrics that critique societal norms, reflecting the band's deeper lyrical engagement while maintaining their signature sound.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong vocal contrasts and varied instrumentation but has moments that feel less cohesive.
What we noticed
- Several tracks feature dual vocal styles, alternating between harsh screams and melodic singing, enhancing the emotional intensity.
- The last three tracks include a significant drop in tempo, creating a contrasting atmosphere that allows for reflection before the album concludes.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic emotional journeys
- long, immersive listening sessions
- wave-like pacing and builds
- theatrical, dark thematic elements
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2001, XX was Mushroomhead's third studio album, following their self-titled release in 1996 and the pivotal album, Superbuick, in 1999. At this point, the band had established a solid fanbase within the underground scene, enhancing their reputation for a unique sound that fused heavy metal with diverse influences and elaborate live performances.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Slipknot· Fear Factory· Static-X
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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These Filthy Hands
The lyrics confront personal guilt directly through vivid imagery of dirt and contamination.
This choice to employ visceral metaphors intensifies the emotional weight of accountability and shame, anchoring the song's thematic exploration.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Before I Die 3:13
- 2 Bwomp 6:23
- 3 Solitaire / Unraveling 4:37
- 4 These Filthy Hands 5:22
- 5 Never Let It Go 4:41
- 6 Xeroxed 2:52
- 7 The Wrist 5:09
- 8 Chancre Sore 2:35
- 9 The New Cult King 5:12
- 10 Born Of Desire 4:00
- 11 43 5:01
- 12 Epiphany 2:55
- 13 Episode 29 1:35
- 42 [silence] 0:05
- 43 Bwomp (Nord Mix) / Dark And Evil Joe 14:51
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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