MUNICIPAL WASTE - HAZARDOUS MUTATION - EARACHE
Take a look at the cover art for Hazardous Mutation and you will note the strong '80s influence. The bands from that era used to have actual artwork on their covers and that is what Municipal Waste has done here. This particular cover's colours remind me of Uncle Slam's Will Work For Food album. The East Coast crossover boys are also into the speedy '80s thrashing crossover scene too. Names like DRI, MDC and Venice Beach forerunners like Excel and early Suicidal Tendencies come to mind while listening to the album. These songs are all aggressive thrashcore with a singer who spits fury mix with the odd melodious passage and guitar solo to complete the effect. This might sadly be music from an era gone by, but that in no way lessens its appeal. One last thing, what is that sample on the song Mind Eraser? - Anna Tergel

For fans of pure, unadulterated thrash/crossover, Municipal Waste's latest record, Hazardous Mutation, is an absolute godsend. Despite a ridiculous band name and equally cheesy album cover (but maybe that was the point -- have you looked at Overkill's record sleeves lately?), Municipal Waste has put out one of the best albums of 2005, an effort that is incredibly listenable and energy-filled. Every track on Hazardous Mutation is a speedy anthem, the group not resting for a single moment; Municipal Waste is essentially the bastard child of Anthrax, Slayer, Minor Threat and DRI, an ensemble that knows no light-hearted moments, to be sure. Metallian's David Perri had the chance to interview Municipal Waste drummer Dave Witte, who filled us in on the comings and goings of the Virigina residents. - 26.10.2005

METALLIAN: Do you think there's a market for crossover in 2005?
DAVID WITTE: Maybe, maybe not. That's not why we are doing what we do though, and that's the last thing we think about, if at all.

METALLIAN: The record cover -- it's very 1980s. Was that done on purpose, to coincide with the band's sound?
DAVID WITTE: Of course, we wanted to do everything to make sure that we liked the record overall and the artist Repka was the perfect choice this time around.

METALLIAN: Is Municipal Waste a homage to '80s crossover or trying to add a new chapter to it?
DAVID WITTE: Some people feel both ways and that's fine with us, but at the end of the day, it's still us doing what we like and enjoying it. We do, however, totally love and respect '80s crossover obviously so being included with the greats is quite a compliment to us.

METALLIAN: Do you feel metalcore is simply a 21st century version of crossover?
DAVID WITTE: Hell no, metalcore is not the current version of crossover. I can see some people saying it is, but that's just because you're combining metal and hardcore, but it's from a different set of roots. Crossover to me was fast, furious and fun without all the violent dancing and fashion sense that the metalcore scene seems to thrive on today. It seems the metalcore scene thrives on success and image rather than having a good time, with respect to each to his or her own I know there are many different categories and sub-genres to both metal core and crossover. I know I'm kind of generalizing, that's just how I feel.

METALLIAN: Your influences seem to be Anthrax, Minor Threat and DRI. Are you fans of these bands?
DAVID WITTE: Not at all. Never even heard of them! Just kidding, yes we are and they were very influential to us.

METALLIAN: "Guilty of Being Tight"... is that a play on Minor Threat's "Guilty of Being White"?
DAVID WITTE: Yes, you are a smart cookie.

METALLIAN: The songs are all of extremely high quality... do you place a special emphasis on the song-writing process?
DAVID WITTE: Thank you and yes. We write for ourselves and we make sure that we have everything in our songs that we would want to hear. We also care a lot about musicianship, making sure all the songs are very tight and played well. The trick is to have a good time while you are doing it (playing) and we sure do.

METALLIAN: What are the goals for Municipal Waste?
DAVID WITTE: To tour as much as possible, have a great time, see the world and to keep writing songs and music that we enjoy playing.

METALLIAN: There are no slow tracks on the record, only speedy ones. While I think that's awesome (slow tracks be damned!) did you worry about a lack of dynamic on the record?
DAVID WITTE: Again, we write for ourselves and as long as we are happy with the outcome that's fine with us. We don't set out to write a certain set of songs, it just happens and whatever comes out, comes out.

METALLIAN: Where does your brand of aggression come from? Every day life? Existential angst? Other areas?
DAVID WITTE: Everyone has their personal ups and downs we know that, we don't really have much to complain about besides the everyday political bullshit but, then again, we aren't really a political band so I guess the love of our playing happens to tide in with so many bands doing the same thing over and over and over. By no means has the Waste 'chosen' to play 'crossover' to do something different, it's just what we do. So I guess the aggressiveness in our music is just us kicking ourselves in the ass to do better. No agenda. No nothing.

Check out http://www.facethewaste.com for more.