Company: Screaming Ferret Wrecords Release: 2008 Reviewer: Strutter Genre: Hard Rock
Rating 4
Mixed breeds sometimes are a listener's best friend
Punk, rock, grunge and metal...all come into play from the mix breed dog known as Mongrel. Hailing from Massachusetts, the quintet has managed to cross over four different genres without muddying the aural waters. Their latest release, "Fear Lies, and Propaganda" is a high throttle collection from a group that has been christened the hardest working band in Boston. Mongrel began in 2003 when guitarist Adam Savage, formerly of the band Shockwave joined forces with Matt "Death" Rowe, formerly of the band 48 Rooms. The bands' original line up released a self-titled 4 song ep in the Fall of 2003 including 3 original songs and a cover of Body Count's "Cop Killer." Two more eps followed, and after a couple of the inevitable line up changes, Mongrel has finally been able to tug at the leash of their own unique sound. Current members, Adam Savage: guitars, Drew Barker: vocals, Rev: bass, Ed Loguercio: drums have compiled 13 energizing tunes that despite different styles and arrangements come off as a deliberate weave vs. a random pattern. Currently touring and already at work on next year's release, Mongrel proves that mixed breeds sometimes are a listener's best friend.
