Also known as Method of Destruction | ||
Years active 1986–1997, 2001–present Labels MegaforceNuclear BlastIndex EntertainmentI Scream Associated acts S.O.D.MinistryUnited Forces | ||
M.O.D. (Method of Destruction) is a crossover thrash band from New York City, fronted by Stormtroopers of Death vocalist Billy Milano. The band has been around for 31 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, Stormtroopers of Death and Nuclear Assault, mixing shades of hardcore punk with thrash metal and often humorous and politically incorrect lyrics.
Contents
First four albums (1986–1993)
U.S.A. for M.O.D., the band's debut album, was produced by S.O.D. bandmate and Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian. The first track, "Aren't You Hungry?", a reworking of an unrecorded S.O.D. song, is notable for the lyric "fuck those niggers' charity," referring to the then-common famine relief activism such as We Are the World. Later the band apologized admitting Rock and Roll was actually a black music.
M.O.D.'s second effort, Surfin' M.O.D., 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, as well as further expand their sound on Rhythm of Fear. It was around this time that Milano performed a reunion show with S.O.D. at The Ritz in New York City.
Devolution, Dictated Aggression and hiatus (1994–1999)
The following releases, Devolution 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 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, 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, TX, where Billy currently resides).
In May 2013, Milano announced a 25th Anniversary Tour dubbed "The Mexicans on Duty Tour" featuring the band's new lineup.
M.O.D. is currently working on a new album, titled Busted, Broke and American. In 2014, 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. is still together and they plan to finish their new album Busted, Broke and American, and tour in support of it. On January 5, 2017, Milano announced that the recording of Busted, Broke and American has been finished, and it will be M.O.D.'s final album.