Four years we had waited for the new album by Lamb of God and it is finally here. But does it turned out well? If so how? And what really went in between four years. So many questions and so little time to answer? Well, today we try to crack the change of events and timeline of the said events surrounding the release of the new eponymous album by Lamb of God.
History: - Since the release of 2015’s VII-Sturm Und Drung, American metal band Lamb of God saw some major turmoil and changes in the course of events. One being frontman Randy Blythe, still recovering from his prison sentence and founding drummer Chris Adler running shifts between Lamb of God and his touring commitments with Megadeth, since he replaced Megadeth’s former drummer Shaun Drover that year. That same year Megadeth were also billed for a handful of tour in Asia including NH7 weekender at Shillong. Somewhere between these, the band Lamb of God had released an EP titled Duke, and a mini album Legion XX (as Burn The Priest) and then came the point that shook the fans to the core, it was the founder member Chris Adler’s exit from the band itself to pursue a solo career and to start a side project. Along with that, the band’s guitarist Mark Morton also released a solo album with guests like Alisha White-Gluz and Chester Bennington.
But, all things said and done, Lamb of God are now finally back with their new eponymous
album that was originally set to be released in May 8th but has been delayed till June 19th. The album marks itself as their first official disk since 2015 and the debut of Art Cruz, the former drummer of Winds of Plague with the band. Lamb of God vocalist met Art during band’s tour with Prong, of which Art was once a member as well and have known him since then.
Track list breakdown:- This might come off as a surprise, but the album really kicks hard, with the opening track “Memento Mori” that starts off with a haunting eerie cleans by Blythe then goes on to unleash a crushing onslaught of brutality and aggressiveness. “Checkmate” on the other hand has to be a highlight were Art Cruz shows his massive skills behind the kit. “Gears” is obviously a classic Lamb of God styled track if we look back at their albums like As the Palaces Burns or Sacrament. While on “Reality bath” they tries to pull of some deathcore is performance like The Acacia Strain and gives it a bit of hardcore spin and the grooves here is similar to what he had heard on Resolution. “New colossal hate” however brings back a lot of memories since it has that older Lamb of God songs feel that we heard once in the song LAID TO REST or ASHES OF THE WAKE album, to be more precise. A massively heavy track and definitely is a stand out one. And, the track also had some traces of their early metalcore roots from the album Wrath. “Resurrection man” has to be one of the spookiest tracks on the disk as it opens with eerie tinker bell sound then goes to a rather deathcore ish vibe all the while, not that of a heavier song but still speaks for itself, and also has some elements of progressive thrash and grooves. “Poison Dream” and “Routes” came off as another surprise and shows what guest features actually sounds like, while the former features Jamey Jasta from Hatebreed and gives it a massive Metalcore/hardcore spin, the later one calls in Chuck Billy from Testament, who makes it sound amazing with his howling death growls, shouts and thrash influenced vocals. “Bloodshot eyes” is where the band outdoes themselves, with grunge and nu metal influenced cleans and nu metal. At one point they also ends up sounding like Machine Head and Slipknot on this one. The finale “on the hook” ends the disk with a chaotic drift. A really heavy deathcore/metalcore and thrash inspired song the song is a massive dose of technicality and punches.
Sound and Composition: - Arguably the sound is very much experimental and well executed. At one point if it tends to appeal to the classic LOG fans, at the other it treats us with diverse soundscapes and elements like Progressive thrash, groove, thrash, nu metal, alternative grunge, death metal, metalcore and deathcore. A haunting pace and eeriness is there hidden underneath the heavy riffs and crushing grooves like a foreshadowing, like a ghost of their former self. Production wise it’s raw and organic at best. The way they used to sound at the early stages of their career.
Overall experience: - For the debut disk with the new drummer and that too after four years, this one was a massive treat. May not be their best game yet, but not worst one either, so it’s a win win. Overall sound and experimentation came pretty well and the disk sounds impressive from start to finish. However, I have to say that even though the elements and soundscapes are diverse. At some point the structure and substance here tends to get bit repetitive and monotonous. But, if it really works for everyone then I ain’t nobody to complain.
Rating: - I will definitely go with an 8/10 score for this one. For the hardcore Lamb of God fans, the disk is a must listen. Maybe it will take some more time to grow on you but it will be a great experience.
Release History and recommended songs: - The album drops on June 19th via Nuclear Blast Records on iTunes and other digital platforms and could be streamed over Spotify. The songs to listen to from the album would be “Memento mori”, “checkmate”, “New colossal Hate”, “poison dreams”. But while you are at it why not listen to the complete disk as well?
Track list:-
1. Memento mori
2. Checkmate
3. Gears
4. Reality bath
5. New colossal hate
6. Resurrection man
7. Poison dreams
8. Routes
9. Bloodshot eyes
10. On the hook
For the fans of:-Testament, Slipknot, Korn, Winds of Plague, Sepultura, Slayer, Pantera, Hatebreed.
Lamb of God are: - Randy Blythe (Vocals), Mark Morton (guitar), and Willie Adler (Guitar), John Campbell (Bass), and Art Cruz (Drums and percussions)
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