Our top 10 Mudvayne songs introduce us to a metal band known for its innovative album art, sonic experimentation, face and body paint, and unique dressing code. The band was formed in 1996 with its original lineup consisting of Chad Gray as the lead vocalist, Greg Tribett as the lead guitarist, Matthew McDonough as the drummer, and Shawn Barclay as the bassist. Later in 1997, Mudvayne released its debut EP Kill, I Oughtta. The band would have the only lineup change in its musical career by replacing Shawn with former Broken Altar bassist Ryan Martinie. Mudvayne self-distributed their debut EP, after which they adopted stage names and wore face paint.
Chuck Toler helped the band obtain a recording contract with Epic Records, with whom Mudvayne recorded its debut studio album L.D. 50. Floodgates of success opened, having the band’s debut album peak at number one on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart. While the album received critical acclaim, some critics never took Mudvayne seriously. However, Mudvayne stepped up their game, releasing albums that became a global success. Some of the best Mudvayne albums included The End of All Things to Come (2002), Lost and Found (2005), and The New Game (2008).
Mudvayne went on hiatus after releasing their eponymous fifth studio album, with Chad and Tribett joining Tom Maxwell and former Damageplan and Pantera go to perform in the supergroup Hell yeah. The band would later reunite in 2021 and have since discussed the possibility of some new material for Mudvayne and heavy metal fans. Our top 10 Mudvayne songs list reviews the best of metal songs from the band, with some incorporating progressive rock, heavy metal, jazz, death metal elements.
# 10 – Dull Boy
Opening up our top 10 Mudvayne songs is “Dull Boy,” released on the band’s 2007 album By the People, For the People. The band members wrote the song, with its lyrics alluding to a man’s sudden fall into insanity. According to lead vocalist Chad Gray, “Dull Boy” is a song inspired by the band’s isolation while they were holed up in Idaho. Chad showcases his superb vocal range when he elevates his voice from a mere whisper to a scream at the song’s intro. The song peaked at number seventeen on the US Mainstream Rock chart.
# 9 – Do What You Do
“Do What You Do” is one of the best Mudvayne songs from the band’s album The New Game. The band members collaborated in the composition of the song’s lyrics which alludes to the end of a crumbling relationship. “Do What You Do” is the second Mudvayne song to feature a guitar solo after “Fear.” The song peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
# 8 – Fall into Sleep
“Fall into Sleep” is a magnificent song featured as the fourth single on the band’s 2005 album Lost and Found. Written by Mudvayne, the song possesses some alternative metal and nu-metal influences. “Fall into Sleep” is unique in that it marked the band’s first animation use for its video. While some critics might have branded it a twisty hit whose theme and meaning are not the clearest, this didn’t stop the song from charting high. “Fall into Sleep” peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
# 7 – Scream With Me
Featured on the band’s self-titled album, “Scream with Me” is an original composition by Mudvayne. The song’s lyrics allude to venting anger and/or any other extreme emotions before letting them take a toll on you. “Scream with Me” also features some nu-metal and hard rock elements, like most of the releases from the band’s 2009 eponymous album. You ought to love the song’s powerful instrumental and creative video, which complement the song’s theme.
# 6 – Death Blooms
Mention the term death to anyone, and they are almost certain to speak ill about it citing how cruel it has been. However, Mudvayne came with the song “Death Blooms” for their 2000 album L.D. 50 to try to channel the idea that it is okay to die. However, there is a need to have a sense of fulfillment before you head to the afterlife. And if you lack the sense of fulfillment by then, you might be jamming to “Afterlife,” one of the best Avenged Sevenfold songs. So, rather than fear death, we ought to prepare for it by doing all we need to do and probably saying all that needs to be uttered. “Death Blooms” peaked at number thirty-two on the US Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
# 5 – Forget To Remember
Even though not a hardcore song, “Forget to Remember” rose to become one of the best Mudvayne songs from the band’s album Lost and Found. The song, written by Mudvayne, has its lyrics point towards people who abuse their success. While explaining the meaning of this song, Chad commented that forgetting where you came from is quite a hazardous and toxic thing. “Forget to Remember” peaked at number eight on the US Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
# 4 – World So Cold
Mudvayne’s album The End of All Things to Come featured the song “World So Cold,” whose style is quite peculiar to all the rest of Mudvayne’s work. The song is highly mellow, characterized by a rising intensity as the song approaches the bridge and the end. “World So Cold” has its lyrics take on a dejected and personal tone owing to the band’s sense of bitterness towards society. The song went on to peak at number sixteen on the US Mainstream Rock chart. A song with a similar title but different lyrics was released by Three Days Grace for the band’s 2009 album Life Starts Now.
# 3 – Not Falling
“Not Falling” was by far the most successful release by Mudvayne on the charts until the band released “Happy?” Released on the band’s album The End of All Things to Come, the song, which is an original composition by the band members, features more nu-metal vibes. The song’s lyrics allude to finding strength in oneself and fighting for your goals without ever giving up. “Not Falling” peaked at number eleven on the US Mainstream Rock chart.
# 2 – Happy?
Featured on the band’s album Lost and Found, “Happy?” is Mudvayne’s best performing release chart-wise. The song peaked at number eighty-nine on the Billboard Hot 100 chart while topping the Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks chart. Written by the band members, “Happy?” has become the WWE Vengeance 2005 theme and was featured on the MX vs. ATV Untamed video game.
# 1 – Dig
Number one of our top 10 Mudvayne songs is “Dig,” a song from the band’s album L.D. 50. The original composition by the Mudvayne band members has its lyrics take aim at the music industry. Lead vocalist Chad was inspired to write about this song after feeling quite negative when some record company executives offered their unsought advice, thinking it is the best for you. The song peaked at number thirty-three on the US Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
Feature Photo at Top of Page.: Alfred Nitsch, CC BY-SA 3.0 AT <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/at/deed.en>, via Wikimedia Commons
Top 10 Mudvayne Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2021
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