New Jersey, USA based Metal band MUTINY WITHIN formed in 2002. Following work on a couple demos and an EP, the band released their first, self-titled full-length album in 2010. Following a split with Roadrunner Records in 2011, they release their sophomore album "Synchronicity" in 2013. "Origins" marks the band's return from a brief hiatus, and contains ten new tracks. This is a band that has defied specific genre labeling, but if I was forced to choose I might call it Progressive Melodic Death Metal or a version of Metalcore to some extent. But labels are for the weak, so let's get right to the music instead.

The title track, "Origins," is a good mood setter, with soft keys and ambient scary sounds in the background, like the feeling you get that something lurks under your bed at night. It segues into "Archetype Of Destruction," which is a furious onslaught of thick instrumentation, head pounding percussion, and angry vocals. The melody and vocal harmonies remain strong however, as they deliver a memorable chorus, supported by a thoughtful and dexterous guitar solo. Those bass drum blasts at the end would have broken my feet! "Justify" has a very majestic opening which leads quickly into a charged riff and emotional lyrics, supported by a frosting of keyboards that augment the melody so nicely. Once again drummer Fore delivers a barrage of rhythms that seem impossible timely, and is very much a big part of the glue that defines their sound.

"Reasons" is unabashedly sweet and peaks into the band's soul, with tender vocals in the verses and a chorus that is like a lighted beacon in stormy seas. The diversity here in terms of the lack of Death vocals just shows another side to the band's seemingly endless creativity. Simply gorgeous! "Internal Dissension" is alive with keyboards and dancing guitars, lifting the track off the page in front of you and playing in technicolor before your very eyes. The gut wrenching vocals round out a perfectly balanced track between anger and beauty, light and dark, aggression and temperance. "Circles" is just fierce and digs deep, welcoming you to the pit that forms in front of the band as they perform, beckoning you to leave reason aside and just jump in with arms flailing. Still, as they are so good at doing, they work in some magical melodies. "Stay Forever" is heavy with power and emotional impact, combining clean and Death vocals at various times to be sure you aren't swayed on either side of that fence. Another superb guitar solo rounds out the track.

"Secrets" closes the album. The chants make the song sound ominous and majestic, and that bridge and keyboard solo are one of one the best I have heard, adding some real texture to the track. It's a perfect closer to one wild and sublime listening experience. If you are longing for that outside and original Metal sound, this has to be your go-to album. I once lost faith in a lot of music coming from the USA recently, but thanks to "Origins" by MUTINY WITHIN, that is no longer the case.