Lamb of God - Resolution review

Year : 2012
Genre : Groove Metal
Label : Epic / Roadrunner Records
Origin : United States
Rating : 8.0 / 10
(score evolved from 7.0 / 10 on 2012, September 13)

Buy it now

With its 2012 LP Resolution, premiere Pantera clone Lamb of God declares that it still is the devoted follower of the T-Rex. The name of the game herein is traditional groove metal with minimal - if any - deviations from and/or additions to the well established primer formulas of the testosterone Heavy! Met'll! subgenre, and, if one tiny thing could be added that seems to draw somewhat of a promise of an identity to this ancient clone band right now, - that is more pronounced than "that" of other lambs of the large clone flock - then it is the album's much welcomed raw-meat heaviness, which utterly rejects the recent day sterile plastic sound. The robust meat-charisma sonic data of this release comes to you as the primordial benefit, and, as result of its relentless abuse, as the primordial hindrance of the stimuli, as well. Because, trust me, this LP has no novelty other to offer than the legitimacy of the new autonomous pattern - which is a splendid offering on its own merits - AND the character of the sound, which kicks your ass to hell and back. If you have expected anything else than highly traditional groove metal from this band, then you are obviously deluded, and in for a gentle awakening. Read on to find out more about this super-orthodox release, if you want.


Resolution is a risk free groove metal pill with a huge dosage of decently engineered T-Rex content, and tints and tints of brilliant variants of the exact same thing. It would be unfair and unnecessary to criticize this record for what it tries to do, as the band's intent once again is to duplicate - reinvigorate, ripof... TUKK! - that which does not need any of these operations, as the thing we are talking about, still is the groove metal of the early '90s, established by Pantera. Only (much more) neurotic. Check out this great Pantera clone with no (t that much) neurotic tendencies at all.

This new Lamb of God release, one must admit, at least exhibits the characteristic of being entertainingly and semi-convincingly angry on a comic book register, and also poses the question : what is the best age of your life to cultivate and resonate your primal rage in a fashion that you look the least laughable while at it? This is a tough question. The Lamb of God dudes are quick to address the peaking of their engineered product-(r)age herein to serve out "Y"ours with a capital reverse-"WHY??" , and, as such, this LP reaches its full potentiality in superfast fashion. The release no doubt is honest like a cartoon asskick by a cartoon electronic bull in this regard, yet I have a personal percept that the mere raw charisma of the grooving rumble oftentimes is utilized as a method to escape the need to deliver a new-, autonomous groove of reality punishment for. The best moments of the album demand immediate recognition, though. I especially like the track "Desolation", with its relentless minigun grooves and capricious shifts. I love the song, OK? But what is up with the timber of the guitars? Am I the only who thinks that they would sound better with a little bit more mid-and high frequency let through? Share your input, and please know : I do not want to give you the concern troll, nor the snob with this question. My question is honest.
 
I'm not too happy with the vocals on the album, but I don't have so much against them as if I had twice as much against them then I actually have. They mostly sound "just" neurotic to me, and the only instinctively perceivable emotion of the LP is the constant fucking nervous breakdown. Sure, some of you are in for that, exactly. The vocalist's Anselmo imitation became less raw and believable, in my opinion, and I'm relatively shocked to report that his delivery sounds to exhibit metalcoresque vocalfry screaming here and there. On the other hand, one can not take away from the band that they are sounding more "real" and aggressive than the latest album of them that I am familiar with, - here. The production values of this decent groove metal release are more than enough to call it a SAFE recommendation. And that is the problem with Lamb of God - Resolution, too.

Rating : 8.0 / 10
(score evolved from 7.0 / 10 on 2012, September 13)

If you want, check out my music

and / or

Buy me beer. Read more!

Chevelle - Hats Off To The Bull review

Year : 2011
Genre : Alternative Hard Rock
Label : Epic
Origin : United States
Rating : 9.0

Buy it now

Chevelle's latest delivery called Hats Off To The Bull brings clever, accessible song writing that manages to remain original, melodic and meaningful despite its consorting-, relative radio-friendliness. It is important to note though that this band does not at all seek to be radio friendly for being nothing beyond that, like the latest Nickelback LP of devoted shitsniffing aims to. Here is a review of that shitsniffer Nickelback release.

Chevelle, luckily enough, is putting out much more serious and ripe music, that, despite growing more and more gloomy in character in my opinion as the spin progresses, never loses its focus for the strong melody, the fat, meaty harmony and the tight, straightforward production. A particular set of mood-similarities surface to the receptors during this delivery, and you will need to read on to find out more about these sublime reflections.


Chevelle sounds to me like an elegant blend of the following remote-, and very inventively cultivated influences : a little bit of Cure, - especially because of the lead vocalist's soulful upper-mid timber - a little bit of Mastodon, a little bit of The Killers. The character of the fabric mainly is welterweight-, but at heart restrained hard rock wit not much intent to crush you proper, as the emotion behind the builds, as hinted, is more often of a lamenting character of inner struggles, rendered by clean vocal work that is on a continuously inventive presentation of collision courses occurring between this lead singing and the fat harmonies. It seems safe to say that, though everything is straightforward on the release in the sense that you immediately know what to do with the current element you are subjected to, it takes you, the listener and itself seriously, and features no element whatsoever that would lack the melodic/harmonic elegance which is a primer attitude of this fine contribution.

With 42 minutes of program time, Chevelle's latest gives out a quite well balanced initial flow, which later on consciously ventures for a more sorrowful direction, but honesty and heart are never left behind during this impressive run. The verse and hook as separate entities both are capable to give something extra when measured to the other, which is especially rare and a definite treat to witness. This is very easily accessible, and, regardless : likable music in its nature, and your probable attitude towards it will likely depend on the feelings it is able to invoke from you right at the very first seconds of its respective elements. That particular feeling of relative gloom that I think the album is becoming prominent of during the climax, is quite inventively presented all the way through, and the LP remains a solid, tight delivery with no blemishes or hindrances worth mentioning or seeking for. Once again : it is all up to the personal calibration of your nervous system if you will like it or like it very much, - disliking this album sounds totally idiotic to be honest - because, if your heart speaks the same mood-language the album does, then this probably is the best album of the year for you. As for me, a damn fine welterweight release, say I.

Rating : 9.0 / 10

If you want, check out my music

and / or

Buy me beer. Read more!