Mudvayne Replace Their Latest Singles On Streaming After Backlash Over The Original Mixes

Mudvayne have quietly done the musical equivalent of swapping the tyres mid race.

After releasing comeback singles ‘Hurt People Hurt People’ and ‘Sticks and Stones’ following nearly two decades without new music, Mudvayne have now replaced both tracks on streaming services with new mixes. There was no big announcement or dramatic statement though, just a stealth upload and a slightly different sound hitting fans in real time.

The originals were mixed by Josh Wilbur, a heavy hitter known for work with Avenged Sevenfold, Korn, Lamb of God, Trivium and more, unfortunately according to online chatter, the reaction wasn’t exactly glowing.

Some fans even assumed the first versions sounded like rough demos, which is not what anyone wants attached to a band returning after so long.

The refreshed mixes were handled by Dave Fortman, and he addressed the situation in a comment responding to fan speculation online:

As per Metal Injection Fortman wrote:

“The original mixes weren’t demos. They were mixed by Josh Wilbur but the band wasn’t happy with the results and the fans were unhappy as well according to feedback I got from their management. They called me to remix them so I took the same approach that I mixed Lost And Found with. Seems to have worked! Glad you guys are digging it. I threw an entirely different spin on the intro and break of “Sticks And Stones” with added piano notes and strings. Nothing has been rerecorded thats just me laying some “tickles” in there. Enjoy!”

Rare move

It’s a pretty rare move in heavy music, even in a world where artists constantly tweak, remaster, and “update” their back catalogues, but it also makes sense. Mudvayne’s return has been under a microscope since their 2021 reunion, and fresh material was always going to be judged harder than a nostalgia run.

If the new versions land better, it’s a smart fix by quietly swapping mixes it lets the band correct course without dragging the whole release into a public mess. It’s also a reminder that a comeback isn’t just about writing riffs again, it’s about getting the sound on point, especially when fans remember exactly how brutal Mudvayne are when they’re firing on all cylinders.