Mungus is a progressive rock four-piece that heralds from Louisville, KY. Classically trained vocalist Adam Lamb and guitarist Stephen Phillips were joined in the fall of 2006 by bassist G. Benjamin Ensor, a former classical violist. In 2008 the band found the powerhouse drummer they had been searching for in Ricky Muzick, an award winning artist from Ohio.
Their music has been compared most frequently to the bands Tool (Michael Powell of LEO Weekly went so far as to write, “Tool’s latest album, Liminal, is certainly the type of thick, melodically heavy body of work fans have come to expect with each release…. Wait, this isn’t the new Tool record?”), A Perfect Circle, Muse, and Porcupine Tree. Their first full-length album Liminal, released in May 2009, has received much critical acclaim and has been described as, “a dense and challenging record that rewards repeated listenings.”
While they list Tool as one of their influences, the similarities in sound are organic in nature and unintentional. Indeed, included along with Tool as major influences for the band are such diverse groups as Rush, King Crimson, Buckethead, Peter Gabriel, Muse, Ween, and Primus. Lamb’s experience as a cantor in the Catholic Church; Phillips’s technical precision and, as reviewer Jake Lawson describes it, “liquid guitar work”; Ensor’s funk influenced lyrical bass lines; and Muzick’s speed, strength, and adaptability all mesh together to make Mungus its own unique animal. As well reviewed as the album as been, the live show, complete with projected video and a steam punk aesthetic, is by far the more dynamic experience. The band is currently writing material in order to capture this energy and sound on their second studio album.
Mungus has performed with such acts as Godsmack (at their sold-out show at the Louisville Palace on Derby Eve), Heaven and Hell, Alice Cooper, Queensryche, Shadows Fall, Bang Camaro, Consider the Source, Bumblefoot, The Burning Brides, and Godhead.
Mungus’ first EP entitled, To Be A Man… was released on iTunes and Napster in June of 2007. Their first full-length album Liminal was released in May 2009 and has received extensive radio play in the U.S. and Canada. Both albums were self-released and Mungus is currently unsigned.
Mungus is preparing for a Spring 2010 of the Eastern half of the United States.
“No, they don’t have dreads, their foreheads aren’t pierced, there are no tattoos on 90% of their bodies and they don’t exhibit the desire to scream through every song, but what they do have is excellent talent, good attitudes, and a refusal to give into the typical… musical scene crap. If you want to see a darn good band with no super-egos, then look up Mungus.” ~Eddie Metal, Louisville Music News, June 2009
Websites:
Discography:
Liminal (2009)
To Be A Man…(2007)
Song Samples:
Recompense
Jade
Popularity: 19% [?]
Great band, and not bad to look at. Especially the singer.
Big props to a great band. Love the new album.