MEAN MISTREATER – Do Or Die (2025) *HQ*
Drawing their moniker from an old Grand Funk Railroad tune circa 1975, Austin, Texas quintet MEAN MISTREATER sound more like they were birthed in 1985 at the height of the US metal renaissance, than a 2025 band.
They not only have the classic riffs, they have one helluva a vocalist in Janiece Gonzalez, who has the range of Leather Leone (Chastain) and the intensity of John Bush (Armored Saint, Anthrax, etc.). Her bandmates — Theron Rhoten (bass), Terry Irwin (drums), Quinten Lawson (guitars), Alex Wein (guitars) — provide the punchy, muscle-car metal to accompany her pipes on the gloriously fun and retro ”Do Or Die”.
Taking influences across the classic metal meets the ’80s hard rock sound that artists like Warlock, Chastain, and early W.A.S.P. garnered notice during 1983-1987, ”Do Or Die” rocks with power, freshness.
”Do Or Die” is a case of passionate riffs, fierce vocal melodies, supported from a locked n’ loaded rhythm section, all wrapped into a series of anthems or speedier affairs that will have you screaming in the aisles or losing your mind. The vocals of Janiece have a melodic metal toughness that works next to the twin guitar assault of Alex and Quinten. She can hit those bird call notes in the early Maiden-esque march-oriented “Walk with Fire” yet twist that party charm on ten for follow-up title track.
Combining influences across early U.S. metal and the NWOBHM / European scenes, this is lean, mean stuff that revels in its live for the movement philosophies – forgetting about your job / personal worries of the day and joining in these celebratory festivities.
Jeff Henson (Spirit Adrift) has that recording touch that Mean Mistreater deserves – authentic yet warm, where the snare crackles, cymbal hits reverberate, and the guitar tones pulsate as traditional metal should sound, beyond the classic fade out technique that makes “Three of Swords” a back half favorite.
”Do or Die” won’t reinvent the wheel (but what does these days?). As a record though it reminds people that for every experimental act who feel the need to create multiple styles smashed together for their sound, there’s something endearing about a pure heavy metal act like Mean Mistreater that just kick your teeth in song after song, hook after hook.
Highly Recommended
01 – Killer Red
02 – One Survivor
03 – Nothing’s Free
04 – Walk With Fire
05 – Do or Die
06 – Road Dogs
07 – Three of Swords
08 – Release the Wolf
09 – Visions
10 – Bleeding the Night
11 – Forget It
12 – Let ’em Roll
Janiece Gonzalez – Vocals
Alex Wein – Guitar
Quinten Lawson – Guitar
Theron Rhoten – Bass
Terry Irwin – Drums
Pre order
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