L.D. 50 [Vinyl LP]

L.D. 50 is the scientific measurement used to determine the relative lethal dosage of a toxic substance. Thus, it's an entirely appropriate title for the major-label debut of these decidedly toxic troublemakers.
While these heavy rockers churn out gut-wrenching guitar riffs, pounding drumbeats, and snarling vocals aplenty, they're far from humorless. The pulverizing effect of their sonic attack is undeniable, but they're essentially clowns at heart. This is discernible not only in their Kiss-in-the-21st century makeup, but also in the light-hearted sci-fi themes that crop up, as on the 2001-inspired "Monolith." And while Mudvayne charges fiercely enough to give any grindcore band a run for its money, they incorporate enough interesting electronic production touches to keep L.D. 50 from ever getting aurally monotonous.