There's something I've learned over the many years of listening to album releases. If a band feels compelled to add "Featuring.....(so and so)" to their cover or credits, there's a reason. Often, it's an outed member from another band. Or, perhaps it's a band out of their normal element centering on a new addition. Often it's a band past their prime hoping to remain relevant. I'm not sure which one is mostly the case of MUD & BLOOD, but perhaps it's a smidgen of all three.

MUD & BLOOD have been about since 2011 and "Evil God" is their second release, following 2013's "Hippophonic". The band hails from Sweden, and falls into the vast genre of Classic Metal/Rock. There's elements of Hair Metal, NWOBHM and even Modern metal thrown in for good measure. There's not a tremendous amount of information out there on the band or it's individual members. Vocalist Cory Lind, in this case the subject that's focus of  "Featuring.." is a former member of KING RAT, RACEWAY and more. Guitarist Michael Lundholm adds GOTHAM, OZ and more to his former stops.

"Evil God" is an independent release featuring ten tracks and clocks in at just under 45 minutes. The album has a feel of being ambitious and bold, but only somewhat manages to accomplish that goal. Of the ten tracks only "Evil God" and "Dreamland" really stood out for me. There were many songs that I fell borderline about ( "Son Of The Reaper", "Fake It Until You Make It' ), and several that simply did nothing for me ("Spirits That Terrifying", "Crusade"). Ultimately the songs here seem forced and very overproduced. It seems like the band is trying to cram too many musical ideas into each song. That might work well for your typical Prog-based band, but here it seems contrived, over venturous and even distracting.

MUD & BLOOD's "Evil God" has the definite feel of a band that's struggling to find a place among other bands with stronger positions. There's nothing terrible about "Evil God", but there's absolutely memorable here either.