Mean Mistreater Do or Die CD Review

Less than a year after their debut, the Texas band, Mean Mistreater has returned with their sophomore album entitled “Do or Die”. If you’re a follower of the band you know what you’re going to get – a face full of blistering Metal influenced by the mid 80’s era where leather, spikes, chains and bullet belts were in. There’s no sign of hair spray or cheekiness, no sir, MM ain’t fucking around, they’re unloading ferocious Metal built on speed, intensity and sweat!
 
Given that the band self-released their debut album “Razor Wire” early in 2024 then later in the year, signed with Dying Victims Productions, this new effort should’ve been a lot easier as they had the backing of a label from the jump. This shows immediately, the album feels loose and free, each track comes on like a Hurricane and leaves you feeling you’ve been trampled by a herd of wild Buffaloes. Lead single “Killer Red” is a perfect example, soaring vocals coupled with monstrous guitar riffs and twin lead breaks/fills. And let me take a brief a moment to mention that the vocalist Janiece Gonzalez is an absolute Fucking BEAST! I’m consistently reminded of early Chastain and Warlock records with her performances here, but she has more of a unique voice than all those who came before her. That’s a big statement, but you’ve got to hear her to believe it. “Nothing’s Free” is another proven point of the above statement, Gonzalez sings her ass off while the boys in the band back her up with a big ole Texas sized can of whoop ass! This tune is jam packed with more face-melting riffs, leads and fills. I get the same feeling here that I did when I first got into Judas Priest, it’s just a full-on assault to the senses. Let’s talk about the slow song on the album “Walk with Fire” it’s not a ballad, mind you, there aren’t any of those here. Just because there’s a female singing, doesn’t mean they’re trying to come off soft, nope, they’re still bringing the heat at every turn. This track really stands out based on the arrangement, riffs and approach, it’s a mid-tempo tune that just grinds at your psyche getting stuck in your head for days on end. Gonzalez’ vocals here are fiery and full of piss of venom, I hang on every word. Title track “Do or Die” personifies the hurricane aspect mentioned earlier, bulldozing the listener from the moment it kicks off. This is a tune that’ll be played at max volume when I’m cruising in my Dodge Challenger Scatpack this summer, it’s ass, gas or grass and nobody rides for free!
 
The band’s debut release, “Razor Wire” landed at number 3 in my top ten releases of 2024. Currently, this new album “Do or Die” will have a spot in my top ten of 2025. Next to the new Pentagram album, this is certainly the best album released this year. It's a quick and fun listen as there are only eight tracks on the album, which I really appreciate! A lot of bands suffer from trying to do too much at once, not Mean Mistreater, they unload a ton of kick ass, quick, fast and in a hurry leaving you wanting more. Currently, this album is up for pre-order on the band’s bandcamp page, it’s being offered in CD and Vinyl formats. I strongly recommend scooping up one or both, ASAP. I’m going to be burning up rubber and gasoline while cranking on this one this summer, you can believe that! I’d love to see this band live here soon; we need a show in Atlanta Ga!

I’ve mentioned this somewhere else when talking about the band but let me reiterate it again right here and now. If you want it heavy, this band weighs a FUCKING TON!

~Black Angel