Everyone was shocked to find out about the imprisonment of Randy Blythe three years ago and the accusations of his indirect involvement in the death of a fan during a concert in Prague. Following the statements of Randy about taking a break from LAMB OF GOD, the future of the band seemed in turmoil. With Blythe’s imprisonment ending and with the court’s decision, here we are with another Lamb of God record on the speakers. The band returned with “VII: Sturm Und Drang“, the successor of ‘Resolution’.
The eighth record of the band must be considered the result of Randy’s imprisonment as far as the lyrical themes are concerned. Randy composed most of the lyrics during his involvement with the accusations of murder. As a result we are dealing with themes like murder and law (‘512’), post-apocalypse and the decline of man’s morality. Social- themed lyrics were always a must-have in a Lamb of God record, as the band’s members are radical thinkers of our world’s social status. Ecology, tragedy and war’s casualties are packed together with raw guitar riffs and aggression.
Musically speaking, the band’s orientation lays within their classic theme; speed metal drumming, progressive but groovy guitar riffs and deep, growling vocals. The specific record remind me a lot of the ‘Sacrament-Wrath’ era of the band and must not be considered as a continuation of ‘Resolution’s mediocrity. As always, Lamb of God embrace a modern and warm sound, as the band itself characterized it. Josh Wilbur is once again the producer of the record, following the same recipe as he has been followed with the band’s latest records.
Surprisingly, we have to guest stars in the specific record and I am referring to the involvement of Greg Puciato of TDEP in ‘Torches’ and Chino Moreno of the band Deftones in ‘Embers’ (which is actually the best moment of the record, a song…on fire) ‘Team which wins never change’ and Lamb of God is actually following this proverb to the fullest, besides maybe in ‘Torches’ and ‘Overlord’ where the band slows down its explosive music and Randy sings (in moments) with clean, bass vocals. And why change? The band has been in the top list of American newest metal scene, reaping the benefits of their hard work and dedication to their career.
‘Sturm Und Drang’ is harsh, blunt, aggressive; a record meant to radicalize and offers to drag the listener into a hell of thoughts about what man has become and how life’s safety limits are fragile. It will surely satisfy the band’s fans as well as those who fancy the anatomy of American newest groove metal scene.
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