Mindset

A Bullet for Cinderella (Noise)
by Martin Popoff

If this very cool band’s ’97 debut rocked heavy, if a little clumsily, like a groovy, Korn-funked Rage Against The Machine, A Bullet For Cinderella has somehow decided to buck trends and go for the mensa metal mindset jugular. For verily, these Virginia Beach conundrums have delivered a turbo-riffed brainfest akin to a band we all miss, Soundgarden. I’m not sure if it’s the new guitarist that has caused this amazing transformation, but something’s lit a fire under Mindset, propelling them through to some amazing power chorded arrangements and attendant vocal hooks. Same producers as the debut which is also odd, given this record’s creamy, power-assisted electro-glide. Every song’s a fresh new trip, every second song an infection, every third a raging holler-out ecstatic anthem. For some reason, I’m reminded of that underrated Handsome record from ’97, plus all the things about Tool no one understands, but none of the obvious trendy bits. Highly viable alternative metal that ever so calmily picks a new verdant niche. Plus they sorta look like the Stranglers.
(12358 Ventura Blvd. #386 Studio City, CA 91504)