Lamb Of God - Wrath [Review]
Album: WrathBand: Lamb Of God
Genre: Heavy Metal
Released: February 24th, 2009
Produced By: Josh Wilbur
Label: Epic (US) RoadRunner (outside the US)
The album's title speaks volumes about the release, so yes the album is down watered yet again, this time its about the lack of choruses on the album, does that mean the riffing is not monstrous ? I "pity the fool" that thinks that this album is a weak one, or to compare it to God Forbid.
Wrath's debut week had great record sales, going all the way up to #2 on the Billboard Charts (beaten to #1 by Taylor Swift, eeek !) selling over 67,630.
I've mentioned in my previous review for Earthsblood how much I enjoy the album, but God Forbid are in a league and Lamb Of God are in another (catch my drift ?) also basically both albums are being compared to one another for the fact that they both where released on the same day.
If your a big fan of guttural screaming, then you probably already idolize Randy for his tremendous power grip on his vocals, and if your a drummer, your probably already practicing what Chris completely OWNED on Wrath, do not get me started on Willie and Mark's guitar work.
Once again this release took me a few times to digest, but once I consumed all the ultimate riffing, nuclear exploding-like drums, and the bass lines (oh yeah you get a top notch performance from John on this album) I was completely hooked !
The band labeled this album as their finest release to date, and that "they topped themselves on this record"
Its always great to see a band, be so proud of their effort, and to be honest I truly feel like alot of work has been executed in the making of this release.
How many ways are there to say "Fuck" in a cool way before sounding like a douchebag ? apparently alot... Randy always digs into his guts (throws in a few punches in their) and comes out with new ways to top his vocal performance on every album... and Wrath is no exception.
Alright so the lyrics are dealing with more politics again, do they kick ass along with the music ? Guaran-Fucking-Teed !
The album's first single "Set To Fail" is straight out of Virginia's school of brutal riffing (which LOG became famous for) while Fake Messiah, picks up the insanity that Randy and his fellow heavyweights enjoy composing on their albums.
"Dead Seeds" is like a chainsaw riff that once initiated it drags you into a spiral of head banging.
For the first time Lamb Of God decided to use acoustic guitars and didnt only use it once on the album, the album's intro is a great composition, described by many as a "an unwritten 80s Metallica opener", only to set you ready for what's to come forth, which is nothing less then pure destruction, at its finest and most professional level.
"Everything To Nothing" is thrash metal the way Lamb Of God do it !
The album's closer "Reclamation" is another track on the album that opens with an acoustic intro... a few seconds over 7 minutes, its an awesome track where the band pushes to full throttle. "Grace" is another song with the acoustic mix thrown in the formula, and is another high point on the album.
One thing I wonder is why did the bonus tracks end up being bonus tracks, when they are as brutal and well crafted like any other song on Wrath, the riff on "Shoulder Of Your God" is haunting, while the Japanese bonus track "Condemn The Hive" is so powerful, it might just blow your brains out !
At the end, this album is a great release, sure we all wish it was perfected, but that doesn't cast aside the fact that this album kicks your ass and beats the living shit out of it ... 2009 seems like a very "metal" year.
I give Wrath a 8.5/10
Here's the video for the first single off the album for the song "Set To Fail"
Mastodon's Crack The Skye is on the line up of albums to crush your bones next (they recently released the first single from the very very anticipated album for the song "Divination")
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Coming Up
Iris Divine - 4 Song Demo "Reviewed"
Another "Metal Minute"
and alot more to follow.....
3 comments:
The best moment I had with this album was the first time I listened to it, and the intro ended, then the riffage on In Your Words suddenly blew my brains out in so many different levels. I also love the madness in Fake Messiah, the way randy screams it in every chorus, EPIC! You should also check out the Wrath Studio Experience, they broke down the tracks again like the way they did in Sacrament. It's great!
This album cannot be even compared to older LOG releases, its unique in a lot of different ways, and its AMAZING!
Totally bro !
The way the album hits, is so friggin awesome, its like such a LOG way to start it off \m/ !
I'm a REALLY big Lamb Of God fan and have heard every fucking album .
This tops it all , I still remember I was on their Myspace and clicked refresh by mistake and suddenly there was a new song on their play list it was 'Contractor' I put on my headphones and press play .
I came right there and then !
The speed , the quality , the depth or Randy's vocals , Chris Adler's double bass, the riffs and bass lines !
Ahhh man, this album ownes !
Also, Great fucking review dude .
You've said exactly what had to be said !
L.O.G FOR LIFE ! \m/
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