XIII (Mushroomhead album)


XIII is the fourth studio album by American heavy metal band Mushroomhead, released on October 14, 2003. The album reached No. 40 on the Billboard 200. By 2006, it had sold 177,000 copies in the United States and 400,000 copies worldwide, making it the band's most successful album to date. It is the second Mushroomhead album to be distributed through a major label, and it was also the debut release for then-new guitarists Bronson and Gravy, as well as turntablist/sampler Stitch.
XIII includes the single "Sun Doesn't Rise". Its music video was directed by Vincent Marcone. The video aired frequently on Headbangers Ball upon release. The track "Sun Doesn't Rise" was also featured on the Freddy vs. Jason soundtrack.
In 2019, Joe Smith-Engelhardt of Alternative Press included the song "Sun Doesn't Rise" in his list of "Top 10 nü-metal staples that still hold up today". In 2021, the staff of Revolver included the album in their list of the "20 Essential Nu-Metal Albums". In 2022, Eli Enis of Revolver included the song "The Dream Is Over" in his list of the "10 Heaviest Nu-Metal Songs of All Time".

Reception

The album received positive reviews, with critics stating that it was an improved version of XX. It could be seen as the first major release of Mushroomhead to review, as XX was only a compilation album featuring songs from their previous three self-released albums. Some critics complimented on Mushroomhead's extensive use of piano solos and various other instruments.
In 2018, the album was ranked at No. 20 on Revolvers list of "20 Essential Nu-Metal Albums".

Track listing

All songs written by Mushroomhead, except for "Crazy" written by Seal and Guy Sigsworth.

Bonus tracks

British copies of the album include the song "Treason" and the instrumental "Loop #6". Enhanced copies were said to have "Along the Way" and "Simpleton" as bonus tracks available for download through a CD identification process from a secret page on Universalmotown.com. Since Mushroomhead left Universal, the page has been removed.

Personnel

Mushroomhead
  • Jeffrey Nothing – clean vocals
  • J Mann – unclean vocals, rapped vocals
  • Marko "Bronson" Vukcevich – guitars
  • Gravy – guitars
  • Jack "Pig Benis" Kilcoyne – bass
  • Tom "Shmotz" Schmitz – keyboards, samples
  • Rick "St1tch" Thomas – electronics, programming, samples, turntables
  • Skinny – drums, percussion
Additional personnel