self-titled
(Epic)
The 10th studio album in roughly 20 years from metal stalwarts Lamb Of God is heavy on the usual themes yet seems more relevant than ever. The opening track "Memento Mori" (translates to "a reminder of death") seems to point to everyday signs as singer Randy Blythe observes: "The hardest hour, the cruelest sign / I'm waking up from this wretched lie / I fight it the same, don't waste this day / Wake up, wake up, wake up!" It's a blistering opening track whose dreamy musical intro morphs into the gotcha metal moment of the album.
"Checkmate" further comments on society's current situation, dubbed "The American scream": "A coup d' etat on full display, a liar's sick charade, a traitor's grand parade / Narcissistic masquerades for those without a say, systematic disarray." After a bluesy intro, the instrumentation is the classic "new American thrash" that LoG has mined for decades, with searing insight as well: "Divide and conquer and close them in and bury secrets deep / Make America hate again, and bleed the sheep to sleep."
As the album release got delayed due to Covid-19, fans didn't fret about the creative arc (they haven't strayed from their brutal yet more groovy riffs in years) but about the departure of drummer Chris Adler. New drummer Art Cruz ably delivers those rapid-fire beats for the smoothest of transitions. "New Colossal Hate" is one of the groovier tracks with big guitar hooks and an extended imusical breakdown toward the end.
"Gears" indicts the addictive nature of commercialism ("commercial gods keep you in line...while you are dying for always more"), while "Reality Bath" questions "is this the new abnormal?" that we "slip so easily into dull indifference / When horror has been normalized." Blythes growls in resolve that this is "a cynical defense, but I can't sit there silently / And watch it all go by."
Showing range as a vocalist, Blythe uses clean vocals on the soft opening of "Memento Mori" and even more during the more melodic verse parts of "Bloodshot Eyes."
"Poison Dream" features guest vocalist Jamey Jasta (Hatebreed). Blythe handles the bulk of the lyrics amid some tight guitar riffing with Jasta coming in for half a verse delivered rap-style and backing vocals on a chorus that harmonizes well with Blythe's gruff tone.
"Routes" features another guest vocalist--Testament's Chuck Billy--an uptempo, thrashing send-up of solidarity--musical and otherwise.
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