I’m actually surprised I was never more of a Mordred fan in my youth. It probably has more to do with only ever seeing their albums once or twice in ZA and never getting a chance to actively listening to them intently. When you consider how much I enjoy Bay Area Thrash and bands like Mindfunk and The Organization, along with Infectious Grooves, I know now that I missed out.
Mordred originally broke up in 1995 and while first reformed in 2001, they played shows sporadically for another 6 years but did not release any new material. At the end of 2013 they officially reformed and have spent the last 6 years writing and recording sporadically, as they weren’t all in the same area, but once that changed they knuckled down and have enough music for an album later this year, they have decided to whet our appetites with a 4 track EP.
The line-up is all the original members, bar drummer Gannon Hall as he didn’t re-join in 2013, comprising of Scott Holderby on vocals. James Sanguinetti and Danny White on guitars, Art Liboon on bass, Aaron “DJ Pause” Vaughn on keyboards, vocals, turntables and Jeff Gomes on drums.
They certainly waste no time at all getting going with “Not For You”, as the funky bass rips through behind the infectious guitar riffs and the scratching, Scott’s ultra-catchy vocal melody and DJ Pause’s rapping take you to the lead solo before everything comes together again to finish delivering their rather politically charged message. Have a listen below
“What Are We Coming To” must have only recently been written and recorded, as the sound-bites DJ Pause uses are definitely extremely fresh in our collective consciousness. The song itself is slow and deliberate with a popping bass accompanying the keyboards and clicky drums, while the processed vocals drive home the lament we’re becoming all too familiar with right now, nothing being done by those in power while the affected suffer from being ignored.
A nice and chunky guitar sound gives the bass more work in order to stand out on “Love Of Money”, while the vocals have a hint of Thin Lizzy about them as they’re crooned with a slight sarcastic edge.
Released as a single 5 years ago, “The Baroness” has a great bouncy feel to it, while the vocals are almost chanted as they keep pace with the drum rolls.
While this is a great taster, it’s only four songs and leaves you wanting more, but simultaneously start feeling familiar as it returns to the beginning so quickly on repeat.
I for 1 enjoyed it and am looking forward to the full album.
(8/10 Marco Gaminara)
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