The Cardiac Defect

Sounds like … Anberlin meets the Foo Fighters with a touch of screamo act The Axe That Chopped the Cherry Tree.

Cardiac Effect

MAMMUTH

May 5, 2001

At a glance … The Cardiac Defect is filled with beautiful, anthemic rock that wrestles with spirituality and the human condition

The majority of indie submissions fall squarely in the singer/songwriter or worshipful vein. But every once in a while there’s a new (or new to me, anyway) rock band that truly captures my attention.

Mammuth may not be a household name yet in the United States, but the Swedish rockers’ music transcends culture differences and has a decidedly universal appeal—not only musically, but in their desire to live a life that really matters. And have I mentioned that it really rocks?

Many rock band borrow a little too heavily from their musical influences, but Mammuth manages to break from the predictable, sound-alike mold. The same is true with their exceptionally crafted third album, The Cardiac Defect. All bands have their influences, of course, and Mammuth has shades of Foo Fighters, Anberlin, and a touch of screamo rock a la The Axe That Chopped the Cherry Tree here and there. But for the most part, Mammuth’s music manages to stand out with unorthodox song structure, a unique lyrical perspective, and frontman Daniel Jakobsson’s distinct, affecting vocals.

Kicking things off in spectacular fashion is “Piece By Piece,” a bold rally cry against spiritual complacency. Armed with fierce guitar licks, pounding drums, and more questions than answers in the thought-provoking lyrics, the song effectively sets the stage for an adrenaline-packed set that includes the peace-centered strains of “Blood & Honey,” the stand-up-and-make-a-difference charge of “Easy Way Out,” and “Change My Heart,” an emotional treatise of the effects of selfishness.

Those who enjoy changes in pace with their albums might wish there were a few slower songs in the mix, but the mostly upbeat set list is taut and transitions well from song to song. And where many rock albums often end on a softer note with a ballad or a mid-tempo rocker, Mammuth effectively follows the motto “Always leaving the audience wanting more” by ending with a pensive cry for mercy on “Kyrie” (not to be confused with the Mister Mister hit in the ’80s). Continuing the album’s ever-present theme of our inherent need for God whether life’s going well or not, Jakoksson leaves listeners with this to chew on, “The care of life is gone, unless it is our own/For this we come to You, and beg for mercy.”

Well done, Mammuth. Christian music would be better off if there were more bands like you.

For more information about Mammuth, check out www.myspace.com/mammuth. While they don’t have any dates listed in the United States, they appear along with other U.S. acts at the annual Greenbelt Festival and Christmas Rock Night in Germany.

If you are an independent artist who would like to be considered for review on our site, please send your CD(s) and any related press materials to editor of independent artist coverage:

Christa Banister Attn: Independent Christian Artists 300 E. 4th St. Suite 406 St. Paul, MN 55101

Due to the number of projects we receive, we are unable to cover or correspond with every artist that contributes. But we do give all submissions a fair listen for coverage consideration.