LAMB OF GOD
As alluded to by the album's titular prefix, here we have American metal giants Lamb of God's seventh studio album. And I'll say this from the off - what a hard-hitting, mammoth metal beast of a record it is. Any metal fan, or music aficionado in general, who ensures they're up to date with the scene's current affairs, will no doubt be aware of the band's recent tumultuous traumas; specifically, frontman Randy Blythe's incarceration and subsequent exoneration for the alleged 'manslaughter' of a fan at a concert in Prague back in 2010, whereby he supposedly pushed a 19 year old fan, who'd climbed up onto the stage, back into the crowd, and later died from injuries to his head as a result of the incident. It was not until two years later, when Lamb of God landed in the Czech Republic for a show, that Blythe was arrested at the Ruzyne Airport and detained at Pankrác Prison for a number of weeks while he awaited trial. With the album's title translating to "Storm and Stress", it's an axiomatic allusion to this period of Blythe's life, and the indubitably traumatic experiences he went through. So often, great art can result from discontent and emotional upheaval, and it seems that 'VII: Sturm und Drang' is one such example. Expectedly then, lyrics, of which Blythe wrote the majority, are either directly related to his own incarceration ('512' refers to the number of his cell), or historical and contemporary takes on Pankrác.
Characterised by massive, incisive riffage throughout, with a technically precise delivery that's flavoured with a heathy dose of groove, each song is an instantly engaging slab of innovative-edged metal. Blythe spits out scathing critiques with more emphatic bite than ever before, through his wide-ranging death delivery; simultaneously convincing and determined in his impassioned performance. It almost feels like this is a catharsis for the man, alleviating his various woes... I would say unburdening rather than alleviating, although I'm sure his experiences, of which only he can fully understand the full trauma of, will remain with him, to some degree, forever. Chris Adler's drum sound (and performance) is also magnificent - there's no unnecessary Pro Tools polish marring this boy's kit; rather, a fully organic sound that brings to mind death's heyday. In fact, the overall sonics have a refreshingly organic feel; it's perfect for the dark and raw emotions that the album's infused with throughout. It's where composition, lyric, performance and production blend to perfection for an overall aesthetic affect. And it's one that works a treat.
Characterised by massive, incisive riffage throughout, with a technically precise delivery that's flavoured with a heathy dose of groove, each song is an instantly engaging slab of innovative-edged metal. Blythe spits out scathing critiques with more emphatic bite than ever before, through his wide-ranging death delivery; simultaneously convincing and determined in his impassioned performance. It almost feels like this is a catharsis for the man, alleviating his various woes... I would say unburdening rather than alleviating, although I'm sure his experiences, of which only he can fully understand the full trauma of, will remain with him, to some degree, forever. Chris Adler's drum sound (and performance) is also magnificent - there's no unnecessary Pro Tools polish marring this boy's kit; rather, a fully organic sound that brings to mind death's heyday. In fact, the overall sonics have a refreshingly organic feel; it's perfect for the dark and raw emotions that the album's infused with throughout. It's where composition, lyric, performance and production blend to perfection for an overall aesthetic affect. And it's one that works a treat.
LABEL:
FORMAT:
Nuclear Blast
Album
VII: STURM UND DRANG
Review by Mark Holmes
RUNNING TIME:
48:12
RELEASE DATE:
24th July 2015
TRACK LISTING
1) Still Echoes
2) Erase This
3) 512
4) Embers
5) Footprints
6) Overlord
7) Anthropoid
8) Engage the Fear Machine
9) Delusion Pandemic
10) Torches
2) Erase This
3) 512
4) Embers
5) Footprints
6) Overlord
7) Anthropoid
8) Engage the Fear Machine
9) Delusion Pandemic
10) Torches
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
USA
"...the overall sonics have a refreshingly organic feel; it's perfect for the dark and raw emotions that the album's infused with throughout. It's where composition, lyric, performance and production blend to perfection for an overall aesthetic affect."
