Volume 2 Review

Released: October 28, 2008
Following the same type of setup as Volume 1 from 2005, the new Mushroomhead DVD Volume 2 gives fans confirmation that the masked band can find their silly side.

Sound:	8
Content:	9
Production:	9
Impression:	8
Overall rating:	8.5
Users rating:	5.6
Comments:	35

overall: 8.5

Featured review by: UG Team, on november 06, 2008

Sound: For as dramatic as the makeup and costumes are in Mushroomhead, it’s obvious from watching the 2005 DVD Volume 1 that the band doesn’t take itself too seriously offstage. The self-produced and self-edited DVD captured everything and anything that went on behind the scenes (including pranks galore), and as one might assume from the title, there would be more antics to come. Fast forward to 2008 and we now have Volume 2, which does follow the same basic setup as the Volume 1, only this time new vocalist Waylon Reavis is now a part of the featured lineup. With over 2 ½ hours of content (involving plenty of hilarious misadventures from the road), Volume 2 is a pretty well-rounded look at the Ohio-based band.

In this day and age it might not seem like much of a feat to edit and/or produce your own video, but you’ve got to realize that there was an obscene amount of footage to sift through on Volume 2. There must have been hours upon hours of random, day-to-day activities filmed, and you’ve got to give the band credit for putting the energy into it all. Mixed in with all of the odd backstage footage are 6 music videos, including “Damage Done, ” Burn, ” and the band’s latest video “Save Us.” Starting all of the videos off is the eeriest of the bunch, “1200” (which the band called their “Thriller” video), and it immediately grabs your attention.

The excellent audio quality on the music videos definitely makes up for what might be missing from the live scenes. I heard some complaints from fans that there wasn’t enough concert footage on Volume 1, and the newest DVD doesn’t necessarily have that many songs performed live in full. Although there are live versions of “1200, ” “Burn, ” and “Simple Survival, ” the audio mix is not the best. They do give you a pretty good idea of the band’s stage show, but it’s the live clips that are edited within the behind-the-scenes content that are a bit more impressive. // 8

Content: If you want to take a peek at a day in the life of Mushroomhead, Volume 2 is a fascinating, often humorous overview. You’ll see everything from people tasering themselves to physical altercations to boils being popped – and don’t forget the many, many penis jokes. For those of you wanting a live show, you’ll have to settle for footage that is mediocre in comparison to a lot of the other live DVDs out there. But those performances are not meant to be part of the main feature and are included in the bonus section anyway. The videos (complete with creepy, effective editing and some disturbing themes) steal the show in many ways, plus you get drummer Skinny and tuntablist ST1TCH providing commentary for “1200.” // 9

Production Quality: The objective behind Volume 2 was obviously not about using the best visual equipment, and it would almost take away from the “real” feel if the DVD was not primarily shot with the band’s own handheld cameras. It all comes down to editing and telling a story of the band’s Savior Sorrow Tour, and although there isn’t necessarily a plot to the whole thing, you are taken on quite a ride. Mushroomhead edited Volume 2 itself, and that must have taken an ungodly amount of time. It’s a pretty amazing job when you look at things from that perspective. // 9

Impression: If you get bored with what could be considered potty humor, Volume 2 will likely leave you annoyed. But for every prank or antic that might fall flat, there are tons more that will leave you entertained –and shocked every once in a while. The music videos are impeccable and engaging, particularly if you enjoy the horror film genre. Although there is a bonus clip about the making of “Save Us,” the band approached it in much the same way they did the random backstage footage – only with a better camera. It’s still fun to watch, but there really isn’t any commentary or interviews to lead the viewer through what exactly is happening from scene to scene. These little flaws aside, Volume 2 is still a must-have for Mushroomhead fans. // 8

Comments

[x Misanthropy x]

Loved XX AND XIII, but after they lose the screaming dude i think they just went downhill with the songs.
sun doesnt riseeeee

[napoléon]

I agree.

[gratefulduck]

waylon can do J Mann's parts pretty good live, with the screaming and all...i dont know why he doesnt just put that energy into the new stuff.
hopefully we'll hear more of him on the next album(savior sorrow was more or less jeff nothing with waylon doing a line or two in each song... i felt)

[sexualbreakfast]

amazing band, i live in cleveland and their shows are ridiculous. no one else out there can match the intensity and energy at their concerts.

[jymellis]

love me some mushroomhead! just check my gallery!

[DOA12345]

this band should just give up
their music style died in like 2002

[omega69]

'no one else can match the intensity and energy at their concerts' how about slipknot; the band in which they so blatantly tried to rip off. whether it was some kind of really stupid statement they were trying to make, or if they really thought no one would notice, they failed miserably and ended up sounding like a washed up, fist **** of a mudvayne cover band.
(not saying mudvayne is bad lol)

[Salvial]

For the record, Mushroomhead were around prior to Slipknot and they're a great band with intense shows, I've been to both Slipknot and MRH shows and I prefer the latter.

[sixsixsloth]

Mushroomhead is good, but Slipknot blows them off the map anyday and everyday. Mushroomhead haven't put a stamp in the ground like Slipknot has. I love the song Mother Machinegun by Mushroomhead. The piano and bass is epic, and the song then comes in sorta like the final six by slayer, but I'm not even going to compare Mushroomhead to Slipknot. It's like comparing the common cold to AIDS.

[sixsixsloth]

Scratch that. I meant compare Mushroomhead to Slayer.

[vIsIbleNoIsE]

sixsixsloth wrote:

Scratch that. I meant compare Mushroomhead to Slayer.

wait, so you're equating slayer to slipknot? that's like comparing a crap sandwich to a crap hot dog.

[DaniDementia]

LOL it's so typical that during any discussion involving Mushroomhead, someone has to bring in their two cents about how they ripped off Slipknot. That ****ing died like a decade ago. Seriously, let it go.

Unfortunately, I do agree with the above that Slipknot is owning Mushroomhead, especially now. I respect both bands, but Saviour Sorrow is more of a decline in Mushroomhead's career, while All Hope is Gone seems to be a tremendous step forward for Slipknot.

[Lrn2play]

their new singer ruined it, made it sound more emo then it should be. Their lyrics have always been emo but their sound was perfected before their growler/rapper guy left

[HotDogs1]

yall got it all wrong slipknot ripped off mushroomhead, thats why the old school MH fans threw shit at slipknot when they would play MH's hometown right after slipknot got big. I like slipknot better than mushroom head but slipknot did rip MH off. and All Hope Is Gone was a herrendous album, yeah it is true that style of music isnt popular anymore, but i never liked it because i thought it was popular in fact i still like slipknots first 3 albums

[Chaz-6(sic)6]

First of all, Slipknot Did NOT copy mushroomhead. They simply thought it was cool that fans didn't know how they looked and would give them an honest opinion if they sucked or not. Look up how they decided to wear masks, then say if they "ripped" them off or not. In this case, Slipknot did what slipknot wanted to do. And mushroomhead continues to fall as slipknot continues to take over. I am a fan of both, but prefer slipknot.

[bikerluke666]

I don't give a **** who ripped who off

I just wanna hear them put out some good tunes

[spike199]

looks more like mushroomhead copied off of stan lee's venom from spider-man with their old masks >.>

[Savage Animal]

I never understood the argument between Mushroomhead and Slipknot, I mean...correct me if I'm wrong but they're both horrible bands

[AndyH]

why is it so impossible for any thread on this site to not turn into a giant argument of some sort?

[koalabacon]

Chaz-6(sic)6 wrote:

First of all, Slipknot Did NOT copy mushroomhead. They simply thought it was cool that fans didn't know how they looked and would give them an honest opinion if they sucked or not. Look up how they decided to wear masks, then say if they "ripped" them off or not. In this case, Slipknot did what slipknot wanted to do. And mushroomhead continues to fall as slipknot continues to take over. I am a fan of both, but prefer slipknot.

ACTUALLY, slipknot would admit to copying mushroom head

DOA12345 wrote:

this band should just give up
their music style died in like 2002

and slipknot sells records how?

[barryenright232]

There two different styles of music for **** sake, stop comparing the two. Give me one song thats pretty similar please.

[ZettaFett]

Ahh... sheeple. Can't we just like both of the bands?

I'm a fan of both Mushroomhead, and Slipknot, but you don't see me complaining. xD Stop the arguing about the 'omg copyier' crap, please. For the love of Pete.

[ZettaFett]

Ahhh... sheeple. Can't we just like both bands?

I'm a fan of both Slipknot and Mushroomhead, and I'm not complaining. Does it really matter who copied who? Just enjoy the music and stop the arguing, please.

[GuitarMann07]

the "screaming dude"
was J-Mann and i agree he was a mazing , but mushroomhead was a side project that got unbelievalby big.
and that be came the main focus

stitch the samplest, has another band called

Vendetta

J-Man

also has another band

i dont quite remember the name off the top of my head but yes i know this because he left MRH to continure the other band he was in.

[GuitarMann07]

i also agree with barryenright232 hes right ,and as a fan of both bands they do have very deffernt styles the only THE ONLY thing that is barley even similar is masks , but slipknot had diffent masks
mushroomhead had the same masks withthe exception of JMan

[GuitarMann07]

koalabacon wrote:

Chaz-6(sic)6 wrote:

First of all, Slipknot Did NOT copy mushroomhead. They simply thought it was cool that fans didn't know how they looked and would give them an honest opinion if they sucked or not. Look up how they decided to wear masks, then say if they "ripped" them off or not. In this case, Slipknot did what slipknot wanted to do. And mushroomhead continues to fall as slipknot continues to take over. I am a fan of both, but prefer slipknot.

ACTUALLY, slipknot would admit to copying mushroom head

DOA12345 wrote:

this band should just give up
their music style died in like 2002

and slipknot sells records how?

To kowlabacon,

first off , shawn AKA clown started wearing that clown mask during practice for one song then they all one by one started doing it and thats who the became.

so if your going to say something about something say it right and know what your talking about.

[GuitarMann07]

and Yes MRH Was around way befor Slipknot was,

[HexedTemplar]

:S Why are fans of slipknot and MRH argueing they should realize that both bands are unique in their own way and everyone have different tastes.

[Razorback555]

This is more of an argument stating that Slipknot ripped off MRH by wearing masks which i personally believe is a stupid way to get an argument started. Both are great and in their own unique way and people shouldn't fight over it.

[tfotguitarist]

DOA12345 wrote:

this band should just give up
their music style died in like 2002

haha amen man. I hate butt rock music. It is absolutely terrible.

[spike199]

the selling of records, number of fans, endorsements ect. doesnt make a band great nor the best. what makes them great is their journey from where they started to where they are now, sure mushroomheed been around longer than slipknot(not say MRH sucks they a great band to listen to). but slipknot had the same line-up for 10 years. no matter how bad the odds were they still pulled through. sure most of slipknots new songs are different soft and not brutal like earlier, but it shows how they matured into sumthin beyond what all other bands are today. it shows that their not afraid to go against the social norm of what metal is today( you guys may say theyre nu-metal but hey thats still metal)so stop trying to compare these two bands that are in two totally different genres of music together. and if you hate slipknot or MHR then dont listen to their music. plain and simple..

[thesickest1]

i ****in love it

[dead0ne]

i think that both slipknot and mushroomhead should swallow thier pride and just go on a crazy ass tour together

and does anyone know when the next MRH album will come out??

[thesickest1]

dead0ne wrote:

i think that both slipknot and mushroomhead should swallow thier pride and just go on a crazy ass tour together

and does anyone know when the next MRH album will come out??

new MRH is suppose to be out in spring 09

[FirstBlood1973]

Actually the new Mushroomhead album is coming out this summer. And by the way, all you people who are saying that All Hope Is Gone is amazing, it actually sucked, it had like 1 maybe 2 good songs on it. But Slipknot isn't getting better, they're getting a lot worse. Mushroomhead, however, may have changed their sound a lot, but are still getting better, not worse.