Mike Patton must laugh at rock bands that take extended periods between albums and complain of time restraints. Since the dissolution of
Faith No More in 1998,
Patton worked like a man possessed -- unleashing a steady stream of releases by the numerous groups he fronts -- among them
Mr. Bungle,
Fantômas, and
Tomahawk (not to mention that he founded his own label, Ipecac). Joining
Patton in
Tomahawk is a star-studded cast that includes former
Jesus Lizard/
Hank Williams III guitarist
Duane Denison, former
Mark of Cain/
Helmet drummer
John Stanier, and
Melvins bassist
Kevin Rutmanis, which proves to be quite similar musically to
FNM's latter-day output (circa
Angel Dust,
King for a Day, and
Album of the Year). October 2001 saw the release of
Tomahawk's self-titled debut on Ipecac (produced by
Joe "Jerry" Reed,
Emmylou Harris,
the Judds'
Joe Funderburk) and followed with a supporting tour. In May 2003 the supergroup completed another savage mix of experimental alternative metal titled
Mit Gas with
Joe Barresi before founding member
Rutmanis left the band. In 2007, inspired by when
Denison visited Indian reservations on tour as guitarist for
Hank Williams III,
Tomahawk switched gears and recorded
Anonymous, a concept album that combined spooky Native American-inspired songs with metal. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide