Description
Mushroomhead – The Righteous & The Butterfly – Vinyl Record
Mushroomhead’s The Righteous & the Butterfly (2014) is the eighth studio album by the Cleveland-based industrial metal band, known for their theatrical masked performances and genre-blending music. The album is significant for Mushroomhead as it marked a return to form following a period of internal changes, including the departure of several key members. It also served as a tribute to their late guitarist J.J. Righteous (John Sekula) and their former band photographer Vanessa Solowiow, both of whom had passed away before the album’s release—hence the title, symbolizing loss and transformation.
Musically, The Righteous & the Butterfly blends Mushroomhead’s signature mix of alternative metal, industrial rock, and nu-metal with melodic elements and more atmospheric moments. The album stands out for its diverse sound and renewed sense of energy, featuring the return of vocalist J. Mann (Jason Popson) and the addition of new drummer Roberto Diablo.
The album retains Mushroomhead’s trademark industrial sound, characterized by heavy, down-tuned guitars, driving rhythms, and electronic textures. However, it also incorporates more melodic and atmospheric elements, creating a balance between aggression and introspection. Songs often shift between crushing riffs and softer, more ambient sections, showcasing the band’s dynamic range.
Mushroomhead is known for their use of multiple vocalists, and The Righteous & the Butterfly features the interplay between three vocalists: J. Mann, Jeffrey Nothing (J. Mann’s original replacement), and Waylon Reavis. This creates a layered vocal dynamic, blending harsh growls, clean singing, and melodic harmonies to convey a wide range of emotions and textures.
The album includes the band’s signature groove-laden guitar riffs, supported by a strong percussive backbone, which is enhanced by the band’s unique inclusion of two percussionists. This results in a dense, rhythmic sound, with powerful drumming and electronic beats that drive the intensity of the music.
Key Tracks
“Our Apologies”: The opening track sets the tone with its heavy, churning riffs and dual vocal attack. It combines aggressive verses with a more melodic, anthemic chorus, showcasing the band’s ability to balance intensity with accessibility. The song’s dark, brooding atmosphere and dynamic shifts make it a standout track.
“QWERTY”: One of the most popular songs on the album, “QWERTY” is a groove-heavy, industrial track with catchy hooks and a pulsating rhythm. The song’s quirky, off-kilter vibe and playful vocal delivery give it a unique identity within the album, making it a fan favorite.
“Portraits of the Poor”: This track highlights Mushroomhead’s more melodic side, with a haunting piano intro that builds into a powerful, driving anthem. The song’s melancholic atmosphere and introspective lyrics reflect themes of struggle and loss, adding emotional depth to the album.
“Son of 7”: A high-energy track, “Son of 7” leans into the band’s industrial metal roots with fast-paced guitar riffs and pounding rhythms. The song’s aggressive tone and intricate vocal interplay make it one of the heavier and more intense moments on the album.
“Out of My Mind”: This track combines soaring melodies with heavy riffs, creating a balance between catchy choruses and hard-hitting instrumentation. It’s a more radio-friendly song, with infectious hooks that show Mushroomhead’s ability to craft accessible metal while maintaining their signature edge.
Given that the album is dedicated to the late J.J. Righteous and Vanessa Solowiow, themes of loss, grief, and transformation are central to The Righteous & the Butterfly. Songs like “Portraits of the Poor” and “Graveyard du Jour” reflect on mortality and the emotional fallout of losing loved ones, while also exploring themes of personal growth and resilience in the face of adversity. Many of the lyrics focus on personal conflict, emotional turmoil, and the struggle to find balance. Tracks like “Son of 7” and “Our Apologies” explore themes of internal and external battles, blending anger and frustration with moments of reflection and vulnerability. Mushroomhead has always incorporated surreal, symbolic imagery in their lyrics, and The Righteous & the Butterfly is no exception. Songs like “QWERTY” and “We Are the Truth” use abstract and metaphorical language to convey deeper themes, allowing listeners to interpret the songs in various ways.
The interplay between J. Mann, Waylon Reavis, and Jeffrey Nothing is one of the album’s most defining features. Their contrasting vocal styles—ranging from harsh growls and screams to clean, melodic singing—add a dynamic range to the music, allowing for shifts in tone and mood within each song. The guitar work on the album is characterized by heavy, groove-based riffs, but there are also moments of subtlety and atmosphere. The use of keyboards and electronic textures enhances the mood of the songs, creating an expansive sound that balances aggression with melodic elements. With two percussionists—Steve “Skinny” Felton and Roberto Diablo—Mushroomhead’s music is deeply rhythmic, with intricate drum patterns and driving beats that add a layer of intensity to the tracks. This dual-percussion approach is one of the band’s signature elements, setting them apart from other bands in the industrial metal scene.
The Righteous & the Butterfly was seen as a return to form for Mushroomhead, with the reintroduction of J. Mann and the addition of Roberto Diablo injecting new energy into the band. The album was praised for its balance between the band’s classic sound and a more modern, melodic approach, appealing to both longtime fans and newer listeners.
The album’s dedication to J.J. Righteous and Vanessa Solowiow gave it an emotional weight, adding a layer of depth to the music. The title itself, The Righteous & the Butterfly, symbolizes loss and transformation, and the album’s themes of grief, resilience, and growth resonate with listeners who have experienced similar struggles.
The album was commercially successful, debuting at #20 on the Billboard 200, the highest chart position of Mushroomhead’s career at the time. Its success helped solidify the band’s position as one of the key players in the industrial metal scene.
The Righteous & the Butterfly by Mushroomhead is a powerful and emotionally charged album that blends the band’s signature industrial metal sound with melodic and atmospheric elements. Marking a return to form with the reintroduction of J. Mann and paying tribute to lost friends, the album balances heaviness and introspection, offering both brutal riffs and soaring melodies. The Righteous & the Butterfly is not only a standout moment in Mushroomhead’s discography but also a reminder of their enduring influence in the alternative and industrial metal scenes.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic
Track Listing
Our Apologies
How Many Times
Devils Be Damned
Qwerty
Portraits Of The Poor
Childlike
This Cold Reign
We Are The Truth
Son Of 7
For Your Pleasure
Worlds Collide
Graveyard Du Jour
Out Of My Mind
Rumor Has It
