Tuesday 31 October 2017

REVIEW: Maximum Mad - "Dear Enemy" [EP]

By: Charlie Butler


Album Type: EP
Date Released: 16/09/2017
Label: Good to Die Records





Maximum Mad’s relentless riff generation makes for an exhilarating ride reminiscent of mighty Florida Helmet enthusiasts Wrong, they take the blueprint for dirty, riff-heavy racket from the 90s and 00s and wrench it breathlessly into the present on debut EP “Dear Enemy


“Dear Enemy” CS//DD track listing:

1. Affluenza
2. Lucky Coward
3. Active Aggressive
4. Unmanned
5. Weird Hand
6. Obscene Gestures


The Review:

Portland / Vancouver (DC) quartet Maximum Mad are the latest band to take the blueprint for dirty, riff-heavy racket from the 90s and 00s and wrench it breathlessly into the present on debut EP “Dear Enemy”. Like many of the current glut of noise rock acts making their presence felt in the underground, their lack of originality is rendered completely irrelevant by the sheer quality of their sonic assault.

Maximum Mad’s relentless riff generation makes for an exhilarating ride reminiscent of mighty Florida Helmet enthusiasts Wrong. This is particularly evident on “Unmanned” where they also channel some of Torche’s thunderous pop majesty for good measure.

Elsewhere, the band deliver concise hits of churning Melvins-style grunge fury to great effect. “Affluenza” is the best example of this, bolstered by a brief section of warped, reverb-heavy melody towards its climax that brings to mind the much-missed These Arms Are Snakes. The sleazy groove of “Active Aggressive” shows Maximum Mad are equally as effective at delivering lumbering menace as they are operating at full throttle

Closer “Obscene Gestures” throws in a dose of thrash into the mix which spices things up nicely. I like to think this is a little nod to their highly entertaining fake Facebook bio where they describe themselves as one of the most distinctive, influential and extreme thrash metal bands of the 1980s.

“Dear Enemy” is a solid start for Maximum Mad. Hopefully it won’t be long before they show the world what they are capable of across a full LP.

“Dear Enemy” is available here




Band info: bandcamp || facebook