Album Review: "Crush It" by Muddy Apes

Artist: Muddy Apes
Album: Crush It
Release Date: 05/09/2012
Tracks: 8
JRB rating:  ☀☀☀☀☀
Official European promotor: Bishi-Bishi
Buy: HERE (regular edition) and HERE (+DVD, limited edition)





This new project by Taka Hirose (Feeder) and INORAN (Luna Sea) is as heavy as the cover is crazy. Of course, anyone who's ever heard songs by either bands knows that these guys don't shy away from hard work and good quality rock music.

This is a blend of oldskool hard rock and European metal, creating a heavy yet laid-back vibe that's as good a soundtrack as any to a rock fan's daily life. Then, halfway through the album, they suddenly give you their more sensitive side with "I see the light". It's a sway-away relaxing song that would send anyone off to peaceful sleep. But of course, this break doesn't last long, and this is still a rock band. So they then ease you back into their rather loud attitude from before "I see the light" for the rest of the album.

As both Taka and INORAN are seasoned musicians and performers, I had high expectations for this production and am happy to say they were met with glory. The instruments are well-mixed, loud but not too loud, and the voice matches the mood of the songs perfectly. Perhaps they would have done better with allowing the vocals to be just that tiny bit louder..