VINCE’S INITIAL REACTIONS TO LAMB OF GOD’S WRATH

So… we have heard Lamb of God’s new album Wrath in its entirety. Since I got my hands on it late last week I have listened to nothing other than Lamb of God on my iPod.

It is what you’ve come to expect from Lamb of God; quality, brutal, groove metal with deep guitar hooks. I’m not sure why Chris Adler keeps saying this album is going to “surprise a lot of people.” There are a few curveballs here and there, but for the most part Wrath is the next logical step in the evolution of this band. It picks up right where Sacrament left off, and if you didn’t like that album because it was too melodic/polished/whatever, you probably a) are a complete idiot, b) won’t like this one (though the production has been scaled back a bit). Vocally, Randy Blythe is on top of his game; he seems to have taken with him the lessons he learned from (Sacrament producer) Machine and taking them to the next level. I haven’t listened to the lyrics yet, but I’ve heard bits and bobs about “the American dream” and whatnot… so, you know, it’s Randy Blythe.

Wrath is good. It is very good. Whether it stacks up to Sacrament for me is still up in the air, but I’m leaning towards no. “Set to Fail” is a fucking steamroller of a song with grooves as deep as the Sundra Trench, and album-closer “Reclamation” is a vicious, dark step forward for the band. Otherwise, I’m not sure.

That’s all I got for now. Axl will be weighing in with the official MetalSucks review in due time. Until then, we can enjoy having this album while you don’t — until it leaks. Suxorz!!

-VN