Let’s be straight-up here: M.O.D. seriously embarrassed itself on its last effort, 2003’s The Rebel You Love To Hate. That record showed the group to be so hilariously out-of-touch and over-the-top that even those who like humour in their metal (not me) thought the album was beyond lame. Anyway, M.O.D. returns with Red, White And Screwed, a record that sees the band for the most part dropping the shtick and returning to its hardcore roots, a move that we’re all eminently thankful for. And you know what? M.O.D. is better off for it, ‘cos Billy Milano’s history is steeped in all sorts of cool crossover. Red, White And Screwed doesn’t re-invent anything, but as a hardcore release it’s solid stuff, with speed colliding head-on with muscle riffs to give off a sort of Hatebreed meets Gorilla Biscuits vibe, all the while dabbling in ‘80s crossover. This is definitely Milano’s best work in a long time, and it’s a welcome return after The Rebel You Love To Hate’s off-putting imprint - good on Milano for the persistence.
