MOLYBARON

I had never heard of French/Irish band Molybaron until 2021, when for a short time they seemed to be touted as the 'Next Big Thing'. Intrigued, I had a listen to their debut, which was nice enough but didn't really do that much to impress me. Moving on to 2021's The Mutiny, all that changed. It has a bigger and better sound in every way. It slams, but in an almost radio-friendly manner. It's a crossover style of progressive metal that should go down well across multiple audiences, and it's no wonder they might have been the Next Big Thing. For whatever reason, that seems not to have happened, and that's a great shame because The Mutiny really rocks, full of stadium-ready anthemic choruses, massive riffs, and a pounding and dynamic rhythm section.

As odd a combination as it might sound, Molybaron sound like a mix of Tool and Muse, or perhaps Mastodon and Biffy Clyro? Gojira and Foo Fighters? To add even more question marks, Therapy? and Queens of the Stone Age? Heck, I know none of those sound quite right as pairs, but it at least perhaps gives you an idea of the heaviness matched with an almost pop aesthetic that Molybaron have perfected. I'd probably stick with Tool and Muse, as they are the two bands I'm most reminded of. Will you hear that? Perhaps not, but I'm sure whatever you do hear, you'll understand where I'm coming from. It's all so damn catchy, and almost every song has an earworm or two that digs into my brain, popping up every now and then just to remind me it's still there. Honestly, my brain is so riddled with worms right now, I ought to be a zombie.

Although often explored in allegory, lyrically The Mutiny seems to be a very personal (and possibly biographical) affair, concerned with mental health and personal demons. At times they are not at all comfortable to listen to, but even if they might hint at a fragile mental state, the vocals are strong and passionate. The music is equally confident and impassioned. Melodic and frenetic, almost to the point of being bombastic, music and vocals soaring to crazy levels. Some of the songs are simply relentless and bruising in their attack. It's almost a case of offence being the best form of defence, as the songs belie the ugliness at the heart of the lyrics.

The album just pounds and pounds, and keeps the listener engaged and driven onwards, or perhaps downwards. It's a wild and edgy ride that makes a perfect driving album ? although it's probably a good idea to keep an eye on the speedo, as it is easy to accelerate more than is necessary when listening to The Mutiny. Quite simply, Molybaron are a pleasure to listen to, and The Mutiny is easily one of favourite albums of 2021. It is bound to be one of those albums that will generate stupid arguments as to how prog it actually is, but I've never been one to care much about that. It's great music, and that's all that really matters.