This was actually the third LoG album i bought, but their second release. Kicking things off with the blissfully brutal 'Ruin' this album beats your ears into a messy pulp with a sonic attack of razor sharp, distortion-drenched guitar (courtesy of axemen Mark Morton and Will Adler) and equally insane breakneck drumming that sounds like Chris Adler is swinging a hammer - not a drumstick. Things continue in much the same vein through the title track and 'Purified', as Morton and Adler(Will) deliver riff after ear-crushing riff. Randy Blythe does a sublime job with his own brand of twisted growl-scream that is, for the most part, fairly understandable - something of an anomaly in the death-thrash world. He is perfectly suited to the music - no longer just a second percussive element as he was at times on LoG's first effort 'New American Gospel'. The lyrics are also in perfect harmony with the music, and actually compliment each other. Focusing on something other than cannibalism or or other devilish behaviour seems rare in the modern-metal world, and this is a refreshing change. '11th Hour' is refreshing, though, after the album's first three tracks following similar song structures and writing styles. '11th Hour' is also probably the albums strongest track, combining LoG's brutality with their anti-thetical and disturbing harmony. 'Boot Scraper', 'A Devil In God's Country' and 'Blood Junkie' are the albums highlights after this, each with their own, individual blend of heaviness that LoG never stops in order to water down. The album's closer 'Vigil' begins with a clean intro that soon melts away into the heaviness that so strongly dominates the rest of the album - a fine way to end a fine album. Whilst the songs at times do start to sound familiar to something you've heard earlier on the album, each song does manage to retain enough individualism to be easily definable. Probably not recommended to any unitiated LoG or death/thrash fans because of the inherent lack of accessibilty due to the relentless heaviness. But then, this is a metal album. For everyone else this album is a must. Lamb of God define their sound as 'pure american metal'. If this is the kind of description that gets your head banging and your purse strings loose, then don't hesitate to check this out. 4.5/5. (but since i can't give this i'll have to go with a 4).Read full review
Great band, great album. Highly recommended. Pure American metal indeed.
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Without a Doubt, One of my Favorite Albums of All Time!!
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Great album by a great band
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Love it
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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