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Lamb Of God - Lamb Of God review



Reviewer:
6.0

221 users:
7.31
Band: Lamb Of God
Album: Lamb Of God
Style: Groove thrash metal
Release date: June 19, 2020
A review by: musclassia


01. Memento Mori
02. Checkmate
03. Gears
04. Reality Bath
05. New Colossal Hate
06. Resurrection Man
07. Poison Dream [ft. Jamey Jasta]
08. Routes [ft. Chuck Billy]
09. Bloodshot Eyes
10. On The Hook
11. Ghost Shaped People [Japanese bonus]

I generally feel a measure of skepticism when a band releases a self-titled album a long way into their career, and Lamb Of God doesn't do a lot to change that.

I feel like there's three leading reasons one would choose to name a non-debut record after themselves. The first would be if the band had undergone a major alteration in line-up and/or sound, and wanted to use the self-titled album to announce the new and improved version of the group; for an example of this, see Firewind by Firewind, which a recent review on the website considered fitting for a band with a new vocalist at the helm. On that front, Lamb Of God is the first time that Lamb Of God have released a record without their starting line-up, with Chris Adler replaced on drums by Art Cruz (ex-Winds Of Plague and currently in fellow groove metal band Prong); however, despite this change, one would be hard-pressed to argue that it's had a meaningful impact on the band's sound.

As such, that leaves two other options. The first is that Lamb Of God is a crowning achievement of the band, a singular testament to their accomplishments that serves as the definitive statement on their career to date; the latter is that Lamb Of God reflects a band in a creative rut that prevents them even coming up with a suitable album title. I'm not sure either of these is really accurate, but if I had to argue one, I would certainly lean more towards the latter.

Anyone who has heard Lamb Of God's output since Ashes Of The Wake will find almost no surprises on Lamb Of God. The groove thrash sound, alternating between mid-tempo grooves and bursts of faster thrashier material, is fully on display throughout, and as always the riffs alternate between percussive low-end rhythm-oriented grooves and more intricate parts - for a classic example, just listen to post-intro opening riff in "Memento Mori" for the latter and the subsequent verse riff for the former. The regular bass drum patterns beneath this opening riff only cement the feeling of déjà vu, with Cruz seamlessly fitting into the band's classic sound.

You get the odd unique moment here and there, primarily in the way of guest vocalists, with Hatebreed's Jamey Jasta and Testament's Chuck Billy making moderately interesting cameos on "Poison Dream" and "Routes" respectively, but also with some clean vocals (presumably from Blythe as I haven't seen anyone else credited) on "Bloodshot Eyes", which are perhaps surprisingly well pulled off. However, outside of those moments (which also occurred on previous record VII: Sturm Und Drang), Lamb Of God could be considered the quintessential Lamb Of God album, in so much as it feels like a continuation (or more harshly, a retread) of their work since Ashes. "Memento Mori" is an effective enough opener, but I get thrown back to "Still Echoes" from VII: Sturm Und Drang in its chorus. Track two, "Stalemate", begins with a slack, muted version of the main riff that follows, very similar to "Ghost Walking" on Resolution. The ominous, slower chug that opens "Reality Bath" with Blythe dryly narrating on top echoes a similar passage at the beginning of "512". All of this put together means that both the overall sound and the fine details on Lamb Of God are extremely similar to the band's past work.

If novelty is off the table, can the band at least bring the memorable songs to make Lamb Of God a compelling listen? Ashes Of The Wake aside, I've always found Lamb Of God to be more of a 'songs band' rather than an 'album band' (although I did admittedly spin Wrath quite a bit when I first discovered the group); a greatest hits compilation of the best songs from Sacrament through to VII would be a monster of a release, but as separate packages, the quality songs on each record are offset to varying degrees by forgettable album tracks, with the bloated Resolution being the worst offender, and its successor VII conversely being most heavily concentrated with bangers. However, I'm nearly into double digits in terms of playthroughs of Lamb Of God, and I'm struggling to think of even one track that has really gripped me and made me eagerly anticipate hearing it again. Given the overriding similarities in style between songs, the killer Lamb Of God tracks rely on memorable hooks, whether it's a lead guitar motif ("Walk With Me In Hell", "Laid To Rest"), sick groove ("Redneck", "Omerta"), big chorus ("Set To Fail") or something else. I'm struggling to think of any such moment on Lamb Of God, and with each further listen in which nothing stands out, the absence of anything to elevate these songs above being rehashes of previous tracks has if anything started to bore me.

Okay, there's one part I do rather enjoy. Closing track "On The Hook", generally one of the most exciting songs here with its full-pelt thrash opening (even entering blast beat territory at times), has quite a stirring outro, thanks to some neat lead guitar work. However, whilst having the ending of an album be the peak moment isn't inherently bad, when only the final 2 minutes out of a 44-minute listen really grab my attention, it makes for quite a slog with limited payoff. As for the rest of the record, there's nothing specifically bad about it; in isolation, the groove/thrash riffs and snarly vocals that make Lamb Of God so appealing are perfectly enjoyable, with the band technically on top form across the board. It's just that these songs don't do anything beyond that to make them worth listening to above those that have come before.

A new drummer and some new guest vocalists haven't caused a revolution in Lamb Of God; their self-titled album is everything you would expect from the band given their history. From that view, it might actually be a fitting title; however, it's far from being the most compelling incarnation of their sound, so in terms of being a definitive summation of the group's legacy, it sadly falls short.


Rating breakdown
Performance: 8
Songwriting: 5
Originality: 4
Production: 8





Written on 20.06.2020 by Hey chief let's talk why not


Comments

Comments: 15   Visited by: 236 users
20.06.2020 - 21:36
Rating: 6
RaduP
CertifiedHipster
Staff
I find it most amusing that this came out right after what likely was their best album in years
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Do you think if the heart keeps on shrinking
One day there will be no heart at all?
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20.06.2020 - 21:45
The Witchfinder
Account deleted
Written by RaduP on 20.06.2020 at 21:36

I find it most amusing that this came out right after what likely was their best album in years

For real. VII is one of their best albums right up with ATPB and AOTW, and it seemed like Blythe found new inspiration after all he went through, but I guess he could only squeeze an albums worth out cause they are right back to Wrath/Resolution-level generic. Shame.
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20.06.2020 - 21:52
tstep182
Nice (and fair) review. It's not a bad album, and it's actually a good representation of their signature sound. If this was their debut, I would have rated it very high. But compared to the dynamics and new ideas they had on Sturm, it's a disappointment. I do like Resurrection Man quite a bit, though.
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20.06.2020 - 22:30
Rating: 6
musclassia
Staff
Written by [user id=220667] on 20.06.2020 at 21:45

Written by RaduP on 20.06.2020 at 21:36

I find it most amusing that this came out right after what likely was their best album in years

For real. VII is one of their best albums right up with ATPB and AOTW, and it seemed like Blythe found new inspiration after all he went through, but I guess he could only squeeze an albums worth out cause they are right back to Wrath/Resolution-level generic. Shame.

Yeah, VII isn't quite at the level of AOTW, but the first half of it in particular is really strong. I wish there were any songs here that sound as vital as Still Echoes, 512 or Embers
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20.06.2020 - 23:36
Rating: 5
notheory
"I generally feel a measure of skepticism when a band releases a self-titled album a long way into their career" I laughed so hard, because that's so true. I think it's kinda boring and maybe even arrogant to do this, specially when it's not a debut, it kinda shows that you don't have that much to say. I'm not talking about this album, just in general. This album was not great nor terrible for me, just average. Good review.
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20.06.2020 - 23:47
Rating: 6
musclassia
Staff
Written by notheory on 20.06.2020 at 23:36

I think it's kinda boring and maybe even arrogant to do this, specially when it's not a debut, it kinda shows that you don't have that much to say

Pretty much. Thankfully it's not too common, but records like this and Dream Theater's S/T from 2013 seem to have the title reflect the music in terms of limited inspiration. The record's not actively bad, just very unmemorable
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21.06.2020 - 13:09
Bad English
Tage Westerlund
In many cases almost all bands are song bands not album bands, compose album what all Will like whole is hard
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I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens.

Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die"

I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
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21.06.2020 - 14:03
Lanthros
I've never been a fan of lamb of God and this review does nothing to make me want to give them another try. And I've given them many. I'd say the inly other band in existence that I don't dislike even a little but still just don't like either, that I've given more chances to is Darkthrone. But then with Darkthrone I've given atleast three songs on each album a solid listen then put it aside. Lamb of God sits in that same "I just can't care about this" section.
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21.06.2020 - 16:19
Rating: 5
Troy Killjoy
perfunctionist
Staff
This used to be one of my favorite bands, but their penchant for releasing generic filler material as full-length albums has turned me away. Just too many albums written on auto-pilot mode, and it seems this one is no different.
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"Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something."
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22.06.2020 - 05:06
Quote:
so in terms of being a definitive summation of the group's legacy, it sadly falls short.

oh disagree!
Quote:
Just too many albums written on auto-pilot mode, and it seems this one is no different.

ok, they just play straight forward AC/DC style of album performance and do they job great ( atleast highlights on new album is more than falls [4ME]

solid album with a solid riffs/hooks (OFC they trying make a hit songs with perfect formula but thats just normal) you can only be upset if you were expecting a revolution in sound. As soon as I saw the album title I thought that they combine the best and it will look like a compilation
zero problems with new material
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22.06.2020 - 22:54
omne metallum
Contributor
Written by christmas.inHell on 22.06.2020 at 05:06

you can only be upset if you were expecting a revolution in sound. As soon as I saw the album title I thought that they combine the best and it will look like a compilation
zero problems with new material

How so? If anything you should be more upset a band fail at their own established sound since they've proved they can do that well prior. If a band tries and fails at a sonic revolution then it's a gamble that can understandably fail; why be upset by that?

Good review, seems like a pale imitation of their past work, enjoyable but i'll stick to their old stuff.
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Just because I'm not listening doesn't mean I don't care
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23.06.2020 - 09:39
nikarg
Staff
Thanks for taking one for the team.
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29.06.2020 - 16:23
Rating: 7
X-FrEaK
Classic Opeth/Machine Head vs Slayer/Iron Maiden. Do you go for something different and risk alienating your fans or you keep releasing the same shit every year. I prefer the former, although It turned one of my favorite bands (Opeth) into a massive pile of shit, I do respect Mikael for not caring and doing what he loves, just a shame it sucks so hard lol.

As for the album...I think its not the most generic Lamb of God record ive heard, which I think its a compliment.
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28.04.2022 - 08:51
Rating: 10
Lockburn
Alright, being honest with myself... Ghost Shaped people, reality bath, resurrection man, routes and Gears was the only songs that attracted me to repeat them infinitely (specially Ghost Shaped People and Routes), but Memento Mori, Checkmate, On The Hook, New Colossal Hate and Poison didn't have the same effect than the aforementioned ones.

Y'know, when a good riff catchs you, it's impossible to go out from there, but in this case, it doesn't happened.
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Deep feel, long way, same paradigm.
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29.08.2022 - 02:51
UPDIRNS
LOG is one of my top 20 favorite bands and top 10 to see live, but this album lacked something. Chris Adler.
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