MUDVAYNE NEW GAME ROCK SOUND NOT HELLYEAH POLLINIZATION

Mudvayne’s forthcoming album A New Game is more rock than anything they’ve done, but Chad Gray says that Hellyeah had nothing to do with it.

Mudvayne is set to release their new album, A New Game, next month, and the title says it all from Chad Gray and company. The band last released Lost And Found, which put to rest categorizations of the band as Math-Metal gleaned from earlier albums. Mudvayne has tried to hone a rock side while trying to maintain their metal and progressive roots, and A New Game moves closer to the former rather than the latter.

Many are saying that vocalist Chad Gray’s experience in Hellyeah, with former Pantera drummer Vinnie Paul, led the band down the rock road, but he says that’s not the case. We asked Gray about what polinization Hellyeah had on Mudvayne.

“Nothing. It’s completely separate. It’s a different band. That band plays completely different than Mudvayne, and Mudvayne – not to bash Mudvayne – but Mudvayne is like putting on an old pair of shoes. They feel good. You’re comfortable in them. I want to keep it that way. It’s important, but I think it comes with the players too. Matt’s a different drummer than Vince [Vinnie Paul]. It’s a different vibe.”

Gray and drummer Matt McDonough said that they naturally gravitated towards that and seeds of their changing musical direction are on their last album, Lost And Found.

“We didn’t necessarily intend to write a more rock oriented record, but it kind of came out of it. Obviously we were pushing those waters in a way on Lost and Found. Once that became evident and Dave Fortman got involved in pre-production and started hearing the songs and stuff, it was kind of immediately obvious that we can steer tones in that direction. You’ll notice that my kick drum, it’s not a heavy metal, typical, clicky heavy metal type of kick drum. It’s more of a rock sounding kick drum. Those tones. I think guitars, and it actually has more space for guitars. I think it’s great. It has more of a rock sound, a big rock sound.”

Mudvayne’s first single is “Do What You Do,” and the video for the clip is being filmed in New Jersey this Saturday, October 4. Fans who want to sign up can RSVP to casting@bluestreakent.com. Fans must wear a white T-shirt and dark jeans.