It's common to see (and hear, if you're out of lucky) to hear some old Metalheads complaints about Metal/Rock scene during the 90s (and on), especially due to Grunge/Alternative Rock tendencies. These guys seem to ignore that they're a part of the problem, because they're the radicals that spread a lot of trash under the label 'Metal way of life', pushing back all the efforts done to make the genre popular. But as all lies, time put them in their due places (the garbage cans). But for those that don't see things in such fundamentalist ways, the work of the Swedish quartet MOLD will have an appeal, as can be heard on "Hope Abandon All". Their musical work is a form of dirty Hard Rock/Rock 'n' Roll that inherits elements from MOTÖRHEAD and AC/DC, but with some moments where the load of acts as ALICE IN CHAINS and SOUNDGARDEN are clear  (pay attention to "The Charlatan"), so be prepared for something rough, filled with Groove Metal and Southern Rock influences.

It's filthy, nasty and crude, but always with charming melodies that can entangle even the dumbest 'true Metal' jerk of all. And be prepared, because these guys are a true powerhouse! The album was produced by Tomas Skogsberg (the same one that everyone knows of albums of DISMEMBER, ENTOMBED, AMORPHIS, GRAVE, and others), who created a filthy, raw and organic sonority for it. Obviously that it doesn't mean that one will not understand what's being played by the band, but it has a personal and dirty appeal.

Such a proposal can be digested by everyone, but it seems that the quartet has more to worry than this fact. But after hearing songs as "The Charlatan" (greasy, full of groove influences and with tons of weight, this slow paced tempos turns things easier to be absorbed by the senses, and what very good work on the guitars), "Black Magic Voodoo Town" (this one is in a Hard Rock tendency similar to AC/DC sometimes, with raw energy flowing constantly, and what very good work on the vocals), "Spiders" (this one shows a remarkable set of instrumental weighty parts, especially on bass guitar and drums), "She is the Devil" (a stomp-flat Hard Rock song full of filthy hooks and excellent vocals, and it's not about your mother-in-law), "Hope Abandon All" (another moment where they revisit some Grunge/Rock influences, and where Anders Storkirk, of NECROPHOBIC as guest vocalist on the chorus), "The Worshipper" (another moment filled with tons of Groove Metal touches), and "Lullaby", the resistance tendency is to be less than zero.

Yes, "Hope Abandon All" is a very good release, and the fans must take a bite of what MOLD is offering.