Recording information: Pyramid Sound, Ithaca, New York, NY (08/1988-10/1988); Pyramid Sound, Ithaca, NY (08/1988-10/1988).
Illustrator: Craig Hamilton.
Photographer: Mark Weiss.
Unknown Contributor Role: Gary Waldman.
On Gross Misconduct, their third Megaforce offering, M.O.D. tightens up their metal approach with some much-improved musical performances. With a seasoned lineup consisting of Billy Milano on vocals, Louis Svitek on guitar, Tim Mallare on drums, and bassist John Monte together again to follow up the previous year's Surfin' M.O.D. EP, the group was ready to create the most focused record of their career. The results are sometimes mixed on this 1989 release. Svitek's guitar work is tight and Milano's vocals are toned down a little, but generally true to his past efforts. These signature elements seem to be pulling Gross Misconduct in a more commercially appealing direction. While the punchy production also adds polish, none of this can overcome M.O.D.'s rather plain material. Milano neither attempts anything melodic nor gets lathered up into a state of complete hardcore abandon. These factors stifle Gross Misconduct: a well-executed but ill-conceived recording. ~ Vincent Jeffries
