Mutiny Within (album)

Mutiny Within started to record their self-titled debut album in December 2008 and was finished in September 2009.[7] The whole album was recorded at various places within different dates: at Big Shot Studios, Altamonte Springs, FL, where the drums were recorded (Dec 2008); at Audiohammer Studios, Sanford, FL, the guitars (Dec 2008 – Feb 2009); and at Bieler Bros. Studios, Pompano Beach, FL, the vocals, keyboards, bass and additional guitars were recorded (Apr–May 2009). Then, it was mixed by Martyn "Ginge" Ford and Jeff Rose at Not-In-Pill Studios, Newport, Wales in Jul–Sept 2009 and mastered by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound, New York City in September 2009. The same is explained in the following table.[7]

Basically, the initial sessions in Audiohammer Studios, with producer Jason Suecof, most of the music was recorded and arranged. When the band left "Audiohammer Studios" it was only keyboard, solos and vocals left un-recorded. It was on Bieler Bros. Studios, with Jason Bieler as the producer, where they finished every detail of their songs.[8] In the same sessions, they recorded their song "The End", which was part of the compilation EP God of War: Blood & Metal (2010), featuring other bands from Roadrunner, such as Dream Theater, Trivium and Killswitch Engage.

To promote their new album, Mutiny Within offered their debut album for just $5, and for $10 more a t-shirt, for a limited time at Roadrunner Records official website, for the US only; and for the UK, the pre-order at Play.com included an instant download of a live version of the song "Year of Affliction".[9][10]

The lead single of the album, "Awake", was digitally released on November 16, 2009, and was offered as a free download on November 2 for only 24 hours at Roadrunner Records official website to promote their new album.[11][12] A music video was released for "Awake" on January 7, 2010 and was directed by Patrick Kendall.[1]

The second single, "Lethean", was released with a live music video the band posted via YouTube on July 14, 2010, which was directed by Tommy Jones and filmed during their North American tour with Soilwork, Death Angel, Augury and Swashbuckle.[4]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[13]
The New Review	[14]
PopMatters	[15]

Mutiny Within's skillful eponymous debut album has received positive reviews from numerous sources. Phil Freeman, of Allmusic, states that "[...] the element Mutiny Within has on their side is actual songwriting. These tracks have dynamics, constantly shifting the mood and keeping things interesting" and described that this album "[...] is an assured, skillful debut that demonstrates a lot of promise for the future."[13] Chris Colgan of PopMatters favorably described the band: "[...] Blending the intricate technical aspects of Dream Theater and Into Eternity, the soaring vocal styles of Kamelot and Firewind, and the straightforward thrash brutality of Children of Bodom and Unearth, Mutiny Within have established a completely unique sound that gives them a huge level of appeal", and described the album as "[...] a solid, powerful piece that will surely attract metal fans from all over the spectrum".[15]

One of the things that are most recognized from this album is "not the technically sound, aggressive, and chunky guitars" says The New Review writer, Adam Schultz, but "the voice of lead man Chris [Clancy]". Explaining how he never heard "such amazing vocals" in his career in heavy metal, he explained how "Chris can delve low and growl with the best of them, and then a millisecond later, take his voice high enough to give any soul diva a run for her money. We're not talking 80's metal annoyingly high clean vocals, either. We're talking this could destroy any American Idol's career caliber singing." He also compared the whole band with other metal bands: "[...] This is Killswitch Engage with harder aggression. This is Trivium with better technical chops. This is All That Remains with more atmosphere. Mutiny Within is beating them at their own game. [Their] solos are in the DragonForce vein, just not as wacky and long, which serves to enhance the sheer technical magnitude of what's being played. These guitarists know their fretboards well and it's obvious every time they decide to go into overdrive."[14]

Progressive metal band, Dream Theater, also gave the album a positive review. Guitarist John Petrucci stated: "I love the melodic content. Makes it really enjoyable to listen to while the technicality of the music totally contributes to the song power and makes it more interesting to me than typical metal. They should be huge!" Ex-drummer Mike Portnoy added: "These guys are real good! They would go over amazingly well with our audience..."[16]

Heavy Metal band Trivium's bassist Paolo Gregoletto, commented favorably about the band: "Mutiny Within are probably one of the best new bands out at the moment, being able to mix their technical prowess with soaring melodic vocals like a band that has been at this for quite a while. Having had the chance to hear some of the initial tracking of the album, I was very impressed with how strong of [a] debut they had made upon its release. This album is laced with hooks and big riffs – definite Top 10 of 2009 for sure!"[17]

As of April 2012, the album has sold approximately 7,500 copies.

All lyrics written by Chris Clancy. All music composed by Andrew Jacobs, except where noted.[18]

Standard edition

1. "Awake" – 3:45
2. "Images" – 3:27
   • Music: Andrew Jacobs, Daniel Bage and Brandon Jacobs.
3. "Falling Forever" – 3:51
4. "Year of Affliction" – 3:45
5. "Forsaken" – 3:40
   • Music: Daniel Bage, Drew Stavola, Brandon Jacobs, Andrew Jacobs and Chris Clancy.
6. "Lethean" – 3:34
7. "Oblivion" – 3:44
8. "Undone" – 3:18
   • Music: Brandon Jacobs, Andrew Jacobs, Drew Stavola and Chris Clancy.
9. "Hours" – 2:59
10. "Suffocate" – 4:37
    • Music: Andrew Jacobs and Brandon Jacobs.
11. "Reflections" – 3:45
    • Music: Andrew Jacobs and Drew Stavola.