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Hard to miss, the 90's and 00's nostalgia is one of the main themes of recent years and with it comes a whole generation of rising acts determined to bring back nu metal grooves, punk rock energy and grunge sensibilities back to the mainstream. Plenty of new kids on the block, many of them shining bright this year, but amidst the rowdy new wave of future heroes few have made as much noise as AVOID, who not only kick ass, but also just dropped one of the most entertaining albums of the year with their sophomore Cult Mentality.
The record falls nicely alongside 2022's releases by the likes of Ocean Grove, Banks Arcade and Windwaker, and you will be forgiven for thinking AVOID are also Australian. Their common jovial attitude, seamless genre blending and bursting energy aside, the band is actually from Seattle and with that comes a respect for the musical legacy of their hometown, as well as a certain polish and production expected from modern US acts. Above all else, AVOID just know how to have fun and are not afraid to take the piss at everyone and everyone ('Whatever' is genious...) and I can't help but love them for it.
I've talked a lot about bands taking themselves seriously, and although there is a certain place for maturity and dedication, the heavy scene as a whole deseprately needs entertainment value, shock factor, virality, diversity, and AVOID just get it. There is a reason why Electric Callboy blew up and why the new Aussie bands are making so much noise. Starting a band with your mates and going wild is as fun as it gets, and we just don't see this translated into music as often as we should.
Cult Mentality is all about being young and wild, not giving a damn about anything and inviting everyone along the ride. Energetic, cheeky, unapologetic, chaotic, the record is just so much fun to experience, but don't disgard it as careless or sloppy for these short but sweet 30 minutes contain some of the freshest tracks written this year. Fitting with their personality and brand, AVOID flirt with just about any genre that is trending at the moment but do so in a particularly tasteful and clever way that just makes sense.
You can expect a solid dose of nu metal tropes and pop punk shenanigans, but underneath that seemingly lighthearted mixture is a thunderous metalcore waiting to explode. Cult Mentality switch gears with no warning, going from 0 to 100 in seconds and constantly shifting styles and moods for a truly unforgettable experience. It is simultaneously oldschool and futuristic and remains impossible to pin down throughout. Welcome to AVOID season!
I must have listened to Cult Mentality more than twenty times and keep on discovering hidden production tricks or clever easter eggs across their music, lyrics and videos. Subtle nods to Metallica or Red Hot Chili Peppers aside, AVOID clearly take inspiration from a wide range of bands and genres but manage to pay homage to all of them while still remaining distinctively original. And all of that in just 10 tracks that barely cross half an hour.
On one side the record fires up the explosive pit-starters 'My World', 'Split (Kill It)', 'Gator Fest', and what is easily the highest point in the infectious rager 'Whatever'. On the other, it delivers several ridiculously catchy stadium anthems in 'Cowabunga', 'Blast off!!' and 'Can't Take This Away', and slows down for the likes of 'BOred' and 'Midnight Six'. And then to make things even more colourful, there is 'Finish Line 3: Live on Dvd'...
If you don't oppose being lured in with a smooth funky grooves before getting blasted off with a furious breakdown, then this album is for you. If you don't mind swinging between nu metal, grunge, alt rock, punk, hardcore, metalcore and trash without warning, you should be following AVOID. A whirlwind of contrasting moods and conflicting styles, Cult Mentality is a perfectly ordered chaos that cannot be ignored.
The best part about Cult Mentality is that AVOID are just getting started. A classic sophomore release, it will easily take them to the next level and open a whole world of possibilities. There has already been a lot of noise around the album premiere, deservedly so, and I can only see AVOID going in one direction - bigger, bolder and wilder!
AVOID - 'Cult Mentality'
Country: USA (WA)
Released: 4 November 2022
Label: Thriller Records
Tracklisting:
1. 'My World'
2. 'Blast Off!!'
3. 'Cowabunga'
4. 'Split (Kill It)'
5. 'Whatever'
6. 'Can't Take This Away'
7. 'Gator Fest'
8. 'Bored'
9. 'Finish Line 3'
10. 'Midnight Six'
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