WSOU First Impressions: Lamb of God’s New Self-Titled Album
Seton Hall University’s WSOU radio is the only all-metal, all-the-time station currently broadcasting in the U.S., and has been a force in metal for decades. It’s also streamable online from anywhere in the world!
Each week, a different staff member of WSOU will share a quick review of an album they’re currently digging, right here on MetalSucks. Enjoy!
Lamb of God, Lamb of God
After five years of touring, waiting, and denying new music’s existence, Lamb of God came crashing into 2020 with a new album. Not only did they hold back for five years, they also had an internal change and pushed the release back due to the COVID-19 situation.
But even with those five years in between, you can see that Randy, Mark, and the crew have not lost their touch, as the release fits in beautifully with the rest of the band’s discography. Brutal, in-your-face, and political have always been some of the best ways to describe the band, and with the intro to “Memento Mori,” (serving as the intro to the entire album), this still rings true for the Virginian band.
Even with Art Cruz taking over behind the kit, the band shows no signs of slowing, with songs like “Resurrection Man” and “Poison Dream” proving Cruz can keep up with the rest of the band easily. One song that really sticks out is “Bloodshot Eyes,” as it couples the band’s usual brutal style with the inclusion of more melodic vocal parts you usually won’t find on one of their releases.
Another thing about this album that adds to its pure insanity is the fact that, for the second time, the band features guests, this time Hatebreed’s Jamey Jasta and Testament’s Chuck Billy. Jamey Jasta brings his unique hardcore vocal style into a place where, let’s face it, it normally should not fit, yet, through the magic of expert writing, it fits better than your jeans after the holidays. Chuck Billy on the other hand is right at home on “Routes,” which almost feels like was written to be more thrashy than a normal Lamb of God song specifically to bring Billy in.
Very few artists can sit idle for two years without a new release and still be relevant, let alone five, yet Lamb of God have proven they are some of the kings of the current metal world.
– Nick P.
