M.O.D. (abbreviation for Method of Destruction) is an American
crossover thrash
Crossover thrash (often abbreviated to crossover) is a fusion genre of thrash metal and hardcore punk. The genre emerged in the mid-1980s, when hardcore punk bands, such as Suicidal Tendencies, Cryptic Slaughter, Corrosion of Conformity and Dir ...
band from New York City, fronted by
Stormtroopers of Death vocalist
Billy Milano. The band has been around for years (minus one hiatus from 1997 to 2001), and released eight studio albums. With M.O.D., Milano sought to continue on the musical path of the bands
Anthrax
Anthrax is an infection caused by the bacterium '' Bacillus anthracis'' or ''Bacillus cereus'' biovar ''anthracis''. Infection typically occurs by contact with the skin, inhalation, or intestinal absorption. Symptom onset occurs between one ...
,
Stormtroopers of Death (S.O.D.) and
Nuclear Assault
Nuclear Assault was an American thrash metal band formed in New York City in 1984. Part of the mid-to-late 1980s thrash metal movement, they were one of the main bands of the genre to emerge from the East Coast along with Overkill, Whiplash, ...
, mixing shades of
hardcore punk
Hardcore punk (commonly abbreviated to hardcore or hXc) is a punk rock music genre#subtypes, subgenre and subculture that originated in the late 1970s. It is generally faster, harder, and more aggressive than other forms of punk rock. Its roots ...
with
thrash metal
Thrash metal (or simply thrash) is an Extreme metal, extreme subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its overall aggression and fast tempo.Kahn-Harris, Keith, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'', pp. 2–3, 9. Oxford: Berg, ...
and often humorous and
politically incorrect
"Political correctness" (adjectivally "politically correct"; commonly abbreviated to P.C.) is a term used to describe language, policies, or measures that are intended to avoid offense or disadvantage to members of particular groups in society. ...
lyrics.
History
First four albums (1986–1993)
''
U.S.A. for M.O.D.'', the band's debut album, was released in 1987 and produced by S.O.D. bandmate and
Anthrax
Anthrax is an infection caused by the bacterium '' Bacillus anthracis'' or ''Bacillus cereus'' biovar ''anthracis''. Infection typically occurs by contact with the skin, inhalation, or intestinal absorption. Symptom onset occurs between one ...
guitarist
Scott Ian
Scott Ian (born Scott Ian Rosenfeld, December 31, 1963) is an American musician, best known as the rhythm guitarist, lyricist and co-founder of the thrash metal band Anthrax (American band), Anthrax, of which he is the sole continuous member. Ia ...
.
M.O.D.'s second effort, ''
Surfin' M.O.D.'' (1988), was an anomaly, featuring little thrash metal, focusing more on humorous cover songs and a beach party atmosphere. The band would return to their roots on ''
Gross Misconduct'' (1989), as well as further expand their sound on ''
Rhythm of Fear'' (1992). It was around this time that Milano performed a reunion show with S.O.D. at
The Ritz in New York City.
Aside from playing in support of bands like Anthrax,
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American thrash metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1983 by vocalist and guitarist Dave Mustaine. Known for their technically complex guitar work and musicianship, Megadeth is one of the "big four" of American thrash metal—alo ...
,
Exodus,
Overkill,
Testament
A testament is a document that the author has sworn to be true. In law it usually means last will and testament.
Testament or The Testament can also refer to:
Books
* ''Testament'' (comic book), a 2005 comic book
* ''Testament'', a thriller no ...
,
Suicidal Tendencies
Suicidal Tendencies is an American crossover thrash band formed in 1980 in Venice, California, by vocalist Mike Muir. The band has undergone various lineup changes, with Muir as the only remaining original member. Their current lineup includes ...
,
Pantera
Pantera () is an American Heavy metal music, heavy metal band formed in Arlington, Texas in 1981 by the Abbott brothers (guitarist Dimebag Darrell and drummer Vinnie Paul), and currently composed of vocalist Phil Anselmo, bassist Rex Brown, an ...
,
Lȧȧz Rockit and
Pro-Pain,
and their music videos getting airplay by ''
Headbangers Ball'' on
MTV
MTV (an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable television television channel, channel and the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group sub-division of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. Launched on ...
, M.O.D. was never able to earn a mainstream audience and had temporarily disbanded between the releases of ''Gross Misconduct'' and ''Rhythm of Fear''.
This was the first of many break-ups or hiatuses to come.
''Devolution'', ''Dictated Aggression'', and hiatus (1994–1999)
The following releases, ''
Devolution
Devolution is the statutory delegation of powers from the central government of a sovereign state to govern at a subnational level, such as a regional or local level. It is a form of administrative decentralization. Devolved territori ...
'' and ''
Dictated Aggression'', suffered from poor distribution and going out of print, despite Milano's heavier style and more serious lyrics. The albums were eventually reissued on
Blackout Records
Blackout! Records is an independent record label which specializes in hardcore punk.
It was formed in 1988 by Bill Wilson and Jim Gibson. In 1989, the label released its album, a New York hardcore compilation album entitled '' Where the Wild Thi ...
in 2004.
Following M.O.D.'s split in 1997, Milano reformed S.O.D., who released a subsequent album, ''
Bigger than the Devil'', in 1999.
Reunions (2001–present)
In 2001, Milano reformed M.O.D. with a new lineup, and two years later, released ''
The Rebel You Love to Hate'', somewhat of a return to Milano's humorous past with jabs at white suburban rap fans and the
war on terrorism. M.O.D. relocated to
Austin, Texas
Austin ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Texas. It is the county seat and most populous city of Travis County, Texas, Travis County, with portions extending into Hays County, Texas, Hays and W ...
, and released the album ''
Red, White & Screwed'' in October 2007 through Index Entertainment, and launched a supporting tour in summer 2008. The band played its final touring show in the United States on September 13, 2008, however the band still performs periodically (mostly in Austin, Texas, where Milano currently resides).
In May 2013, Milano announced a 25th Anniversary Tour dubbed "The Mexicans on Duty Tour" featuring the band's new lineup.
As early as 2014, M.O.D. began working on their eighth studio album, titled ''
Busted, Broke & American'', and later that year, they offered a free download of their first song in seven years "Hermano". In May 2015, the group disbanded due to Billy Milano wanting to focus on his private life. All tours and album plans were cancelled as a result. A month later, however, Milano announced that M.O.D. was still together and planning to finish work on ''Busted, Broke & American'', followed by a tour in support of it. On January 5, 2017, Milano announced that the recording of ''Busted, Broke & American'' was finished, and it would be M.O.D.'s final album. The album was released on July 7, 2017, and is M.O.D.'s first release on
Megaforce Records
Megaforce Records is an American independent record label founded in 1982 by Jon Zazula and his wife Marsha Zazula to release the first works of Metallica, and devoted primarily to hard rock and heavy metal. It has offices in New York City (whe ...
since the 1995 compilation album ''
Loved by Thousands, Hated by Millions''. The album has been referred to as the "''
Chinese Democracy
''Chinese Democracy'' is the sixth studio album by the American hard rock band Guns N' Roses, released on November 23, 2008, by Black Frog and Geffen Records. It was the first Guns N' Roses studio album since the 1993 covers album ''"The Spagh ...
'' of crossover thrash", due to its various delays.
When asked in a March 2018 interview if ''Busted, Broke & American'' was their final album, or if there would be a follow-up album, then-bassist Jason French said, "I believe there will be another album. In talking to Billy, he has some things in the works he wants to accomplish and I want to be part of those things as well. If things work out the way we would like them to, I think people are going to be blown away about what's in store for the future."
Members
Current
*
Billy Milano – vocals
*Rob Moschetti – bass
*Michael Arrellano – drums
*Scott Sargeant – guitar
Former
*Tim McMurtrie - guitar
*Scott Sargeant – guitar/bass
*
Louis Svitek – guitar
*Sean Kilkenny – guitar
*Tommy Klimchuck – guitar
*John Pereksta – guitar, bass
*Joe Young – guitar
*Joe Affe – guitar
*Bernard Langendorf – guitar
*Ken Ballone – bass
*Jeff Wood – bass
*Jake Landrau – bass
*
John Monte – bass
*Chris "Dawson Clawson" Dawson – bass, vocals
*Tim Casterline – bass
*David "Ziggy" Reinhardt – drums
*Keith Davis – drums
*Tim Mallare – drums
*
Dave Chavarri – drums
*
Tony Scaglione – drums
*Darren Verpeut – drums
*Danny "DNA" Burkhardt – drums
*Derek "Lennon" Lopez – drums
Discography
References
External links
Official Facebook pageOfficial Myspace page*
{{DEFAULTSORT:M O D
Musical groups established in 1986
Crossover thrash groups
Heavy metal musical groups from New York (state)
Road crew
Nuclear Blast artists
1986 establishments in New York City
American thrash metal musical groups
Megaforce Records artists