11 tracks. Product Description
I ordered this album from Staind's merchandise webstore and it went on backorder for nearly two months before I finally recieved and I was worried that with all the build up that it would disappoint. It did not disappoint me at all. This album is amazing. I love how dark and emotional this album is. It is also far harder than anything else Staind has put out and it sounds pretty good for something self-released and produced. I only hope that Staind at least moves back towards this direction for at least a little while to give me more of a taste of this style of them.
February 4, 2008 |  | Staind makes an entrance into the world of music...and what a grand entrace it is! |  |
This was the beginning of the band that has changed my life, or at least the way I look at music. The ever changing and ever original Staind shines (albeit gritty and raw) on their debut album, the underground self produced album that started it all. True, some of these songs come off very unpolished, but when compared to rather ridiculous self produced albums (like Mudvaynes travesty) this is truly brilliant. Rather hard for what we as fans may be used to, let it be said that Staind softened their sound after Fred Durst offered to sign them, stating that Aaron Lewis had a voice best suited for singing and that he should cut down the scream time.
Here, Aaron proves he has the vocal chops to tackle both, and while I love the soft side to this band, songs like `Come Again' and `Self Destruct' just make me all warm inside (hehe). So, any true fan of this band MUST own this album (which is becoming harder and harder to find) otherwise they are missing out on some of the greatest tracks this band has ever put out there. The raw demo cut for `Mudshuvel' far surpasses the cleaned up version on `Dysfunction' and is one of the biggest reasons to find this album and buy it right away. Just another reason why this band will always be on my mind and in my soul!
January 16, 2007Listening to this album was pure torment. If you are into screaming and nonstop distortion then this is for you. Personally, I couldn't sit thru a single song. I enjoy lots of heavy metal from various artists including staind but this album is all angry shouting with a heavy beat with little actual music. It might be useful to listen to to understand where staind comes from but beyond that it's not something I'd listen regularly.
July 17, 2006| | | to the guy that said "sorry i dont like it" | |
this CD is my all time favorite CD. Aaron Lewis puts his heart into this CD the whole way through. If you are turned off by swearing then why the f*ck are u listening to staind anyway? not one staind CD dont use the word f*ck so get over it dude. Also Fred Durst had nothing to do with this CD, it was made by no record company, staind made it independently. All of stainds cds are very good, this one is the best and 14 shades of grey is second best...i personally think that dysfunction is the worst lol.....but dysfucntion is still one of my favorite cds of all time--------------------------the weakest song is painful, the best ones are come again,4 walls, see thur, self destruct, and tolerate.........................buy this CD and you WONT REGRET IT!!!
June 16, 2006If you are one of those who are turned off by the sound Staind have developed on their last few albums ("14 Shades Of Grey" or "Chapter V") you just might appreciate Staind's very first, independent release, "Tormented." Self-produced mainly by guitarist Mike Mushok and bassist Johnny April, "Tormented" sounds less like the distinct Staind we know and more like an accumulation of influences, spanning from Korn to Tool to Pantera. Make no mistake, though. This is still Aaron and the boys at play.
Obviously, the closest album you could compare this too would be their proper debut, 1999's "Dysfunction." Heck, there's even the original version of their hit "Mudshovel" on this album. Despite some rocky prodcution values, "Tormented" is surprisingly tight. Aaron beautifully pulls off the whisper to a scream to a moan style that only he can do, while the band just fully rocks out, with Mushok delivering some especially hot riffs. Songs such as "Tolerate" "See Thru" and "Break" (a song which the band has been pulling out at recent live shows) will do well to get your blood pumping and heart pounding. Other, more refined tracks like "4 Walls" and the aformentioned "Mudshuvel" (misspelled on purpose) shows signs of the band's bright future as a multi-talented multi-platinum group.
You can still find "Tormented" in many places. If you are attending a Staind concert, look out for it there. I also believe their website still carries it as well (I got mine two years ago from there). It's definitely essential Staind. If you don't like this album, you have problems. This is them at their rawest and hardest. So, if you feel like they're a bit too soft these days, then "Tormented" should hush you up for a while.
June 8, 2006More reviews at Amazon.com ...
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