Wayne Ford, the man that the song “The Duke” is dedicated to, was a fan of LAMB OF GOD who died from leukemia in 2015 at the age of thirty-three. He and Randy Blythe (the band’s singer) became friends in 2012 while the first was battling cancer. In the meantime, the band was writing the songs for their “VII: Sturm Und Drang” album and Randy wrote the lyrics to this song the band composed back then, to honor his friend. After Mr. Ford’s passing the band decided to release this song, separately, in the form of this EP.
The title track is the most easy listening song they have ever written. It sounds like the style of melodic modern metal music IN FLAMES do in their latest albums. Randy sings the song mostly with clean vocals before his usual screams take over at the end of it.
““The Duke” EP is actually a fundraiser release and the funds that are generated will go to support Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)”
There is also a second new song here, named: “Culling”. A song that sounds like the LOG we are used to, harsh, angry, groovy NWOAHM! A special reference must be made for Chris Adler’s performance on drums; his playing seems to have improved even more after his participation in MEGADETH. The rest three songs that complete this EP are live recordings of songs that were written for their previous release. “Still Echoes”, that was recorded at Germany’s “Rock Am Ring”, “512” and “Engage The Fear Machine” that were recorded at Tennessee’s “Bonnaroo” festival.
“The Duke” EP is actually a fundraiser release and the funds that are generated will go to support Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). It doesn’t matter that much what is the musical direction of those two new songs LAMB OF GOD has released in this EP. The most important thing is the will to help people that suffer from this disease.