MORDRED — The Dark Parade (review)

Album · 2021 · Funk Metal

4/5 · 2025-03-07
UMUR

"The Dark Parade" is the fourth full-length studio album by US, California based thrash/alternative/funk metal act Mordred. The album was released through M-Theory in July 2021. Mordred formed in 1984 and disbanded in 1995 after releasing three full-length studio albums and a string of minor releases. They reunited in the 2001-2007 period, but no new studio output was recorded during that period. Mordred reunited again in 2013 and released "The Baroness" single in 2015, as their first release featuring new original material in 21 years (they released "The Demos 1986-1988" compilation in 2014, but as the title suggests it didn´t feature any new original material). The "Volition" EP was released in July 2020 (5 years after the release of "The Baroness" (2015) single), so it´s arguably been sparse with releases in the 27 years since Mordred released their third full-length studio album "The Next Room" (1994).

"The Dark Parade" features 8 new original compositions (none of them were featured on the "Volition" (2020) EP) and right from the opening notes of "Demonic #7", we´re treated to the unmistakable sound of Mordred. I´ll describe Mordred´s sound a combination of thrash metal and heavy groove laden riffs, clever melodic lead guitar work, heavy and occasionally funky bass and drums, turntable scratching and effectful atmoshere enhancing keyboards, and the charismatic singing/shouting of lead vocalist Scott Holderby in front. So the above tags thrash metal/funk metal/alternative metal are all valid at various times during the album. So in that respec all is as it´s also been on the preceding releases. It´s interesting to hear a band make a comeback after so many years, and sound like they never disbanded. Mordred don´t sound tired and old, or like they have no gas left in the tank...instead they sound hungry and like they have unfinished business. This is exactly what you would like to hear on a comeback album.

If you´re familiar with Mordred´s 80s/90s releases you´ll know that they are skilled musicians who deliver their music with great passion and conviction. Nothing has changed on "The Dark Parade" (despite a few lineup changes since the 90s) which is very well performed and features many intricate and powerful details. I always say that early- mid 90s Suicidal Tendencies are Mordred´s closest relative, but although there are definitely some similarities between the two artists, Mordred are very much their own and create a pretty original sound on "The Dark Parade".

The album features a powerful, detailed, and clear sounding production job, which suits the material perfectly. The thrashy heaviness are given just the right room to shine and provide the music with rawness and aggression, while the guitar melodies and vocal parts are also in focus in the soundscape. The drums, the bass, and the keyboards/turntable are also placed exactly where they should in the mix. Upon conclusion "The Dark Parade" is a high quality comeback album from Mordred. The material featured on the 2020 "Volition" EP already showed great promise, but maybe pointed in too many different directions. That is however not the case on "The Dark Parade", which is a consistent quality release and a 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.