This was the first in the trilogy of interesting records that were all recorded at the same time but released in the space of a couple of months at the end of 1999 and the beginning of 2000. I own them all and although it’s fair to say that the Melvins have had an interesting (OK inconsistent) career, The Maggot, The Bootlicker and The Crybaby encapsulate their whole career in a nut shell.
I always though The Maggot was a strange one to lead off with. Compared with the other later two in the trilogy The Maggot is just not as interesting. In saying that there is is still a whole lot here to love. The whole sludgy wall of sound confines everything on The Maggot. There is no room for light or compromise. It’s a pretty intense album but if you just love that sludgy, stoner-rock style then this is a pretty decent record to have in your collection. I suppose the most noticeable thing missing from The Maggot is the sense of humour. The Melvins have never taken themselves too seriously but The Maggot sounds like they recorded it whilst in a very black mood indeed. It’s OK but the other two in the series are way better.
Ducks Battle Satan 