DYING VICTIMS PRODUCTIONS is thrilled to unveil MEAN MISTREATER’s eagerly awaited sophomore album, Do or Die, available on CD and vinyl LP.

Following the success of their breakout debut Razor Wire—first self-released in early 2023 and later given a worldwide release by DYING VICTIMS that summer—MEAN MISTREATER is back with a vengeance. Their debut set the stage with a sound that balances raw power and polished skill. Unwilling to be confined by labels like “female-fronted” or “NWOTHM,” the band defines itself as a unified force, boldly expanding the boundaries of traditional heavy metal. Their fierce determination and exceptional talent firmly position them as trailblazers in a crowded scene, ready to leave an indelible mark on the genre.

With Do or Die, the band stays true to their roots, blending classic metal with retro hard rock influences reminiscent of Warlock, Chastain, and early W.A.S.P. However, their delivery has reached new heights. Packed with urgency and raw passion, the album roars to life like a street predator with a fiery spirit. These Texas natives unleash anthem after anthem, each as sharp and impactful as the last. Clocking in at just 27 minutes across eight tracks, the record is a masterclass in brevity and cohesion, offering a complete and electrifying experience that keeps fans craving more.

Far from being a fleeting sensation, MEAN MISTREATER solidifies their reputation with Do or Die, delivering the hard-hitting, magnetic metal their audience has come to love. With this release, they climb higher on the ladder of traditional metal greatness, proving that their ascent is unstoppable.

Review

Killer Red storms in with thunderous drums and then rip roaring guitar and bass work that has that edge and fierceness! Janiece Gonzalez’s vocals are on form as always and the twisting little licks sizzle nicely on top of the rest of the instrumentation!It is only a short at just over two and a half minutes but it certainly packs punch! Killer Red just proves that you don’t have to write a long track to have an impact!

One Survivor is up next and straight away we get some delicious licks from Quinten and Alex! This track is pretty damn fiery with thrash drum patterns here and there! Then there are some squealing and smoking guitar solos that break through the mix in explosive fashion!

Nothing’s Free rocks down the train tracks all fired up! Like tracks before it is fast and furious and is filled with attitude. Nothing Free shows that nothing can quite literally get in its way! And one thing to mention is that I have always liked how the band write mostly short and to the point tracks that hit hard! This is the third track and it is literally just over three minutes yet everything that is going on delivers!

Walk With Fire drifts in from depths before we are given some harmonised tapping topped by an uplifting solo and big open bass notes! The track has that stumbling style drum pattern that provides enough head banging action to make fans happy! I love the lead licks that sneak in and out of the song adding a bit of spice to the music! I think the guitar tone for the leads are also spot on! Then comes a bit of a breakdown with big open chords where Janiece digs in before the pace picks up again. Everything becomes a raging force turning everything to dust on the way out! Very exciting indeed

Do or Die is the albums title track and we continue speeding along frantically, skin rippling and coming away from the face! The guitar work especially in the leads has been a particular highlight for me and Do or Dies lead work is no exception! Sometimes I think some fingers are seriously going to get third degree burns! Quick re-apply the lemon oil to the fretboards! Throughout the whole song there is literally not a moment to breathe so get ready to be break out the fist pumping!

Road Dogs opens with a big ballsy riff that feels like a sped up TNT! Following on from that we get some nice chug chug verse guitars that feel very thrash and menacing. If this song was a person I certainly would not want to get on the wrong side of them! I get this feeling that this could down very well at the bands live shows! Once again we get another slick guitar solo that feels electric! The song feels thick in texture, heavy and ready to shake the ground you walk on!

Three of Swords launches you into some mid-tempo, quick picking guitar riffs that sound truly sinister! Almost as if something evil was lurking in the background. The dark and evil vibe makes this a fun and playful track that once again makes me want to headbang and raise horns to the devil. The solo fits perfectly with the rhythm and bass work getting more intense over time while Janiece’s vocals continue to cry to the heavens! Great stuff!

Finally we reach the last track Release the Wolf! It opens with rung out chords and more squealing guitar notes before catapulting listeners into another tornado of punishing rhythms. Quite simply this another three minute belter that feels truly action packed! Get ready to open the pits because if this is played at a gig then things are certainly going to get crazy!

Conclusion

Do or Die absolutely annihilates, packing a relentless punch in under half an hour! This record is a concentrated assault on the senses, delivering one punishing blow after another with unrelenting intensity. This is a killer follow up to their last effort Razor Wire and shows the band are only going onwards and upwards!

TheNwothm Score: 9/10

Links

Bandcamp: https://meanmistreater.bandcamp.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meanmistreatertx/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meanmistreater_tx

Label: https://dyingvictims.com/index.php

Out 21st February 2025

Order here: https://tinyurl.com/myhnbkjr

Line-up: Jon Gibson – Bass Joaquin Ridgell – Drums Quinten Lawson – Guitars Alex Wein – Guitars Janiece Gonzalez – Vocals