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SEVENDUST
"Truth
Killer"
(Napalm Records; 2023)
Reviewed by Snidermann
As I write this, it has been twenty-three years since the first Sevendust recording was released. Holy shit! It's been so long, I'm having a bit of trouble remembering what they sounded like back then. I did not want to cheat and go back nd listen. I wanted a fresh palate musically.
One thing I do remember: I did like them and after a few spins of "Truth Killer," I remember why. The late 90s were a great time for rock/metal and Sevendust was right up there. The music is in-your-face with images of woe, lost love and angst, but also of hope and renewal. Combine that with thundering music and "Truth Killer" becomes just a potent recording as the original was, back in 1997.
I have spun this record a few times and, frankly, it only gets better. I can't wait to hear it again!
For more information, check out http://www.sevendust.com.
"Blood & Stone"
(Rise Records; 2020)
Reviewed by Snidermann
I fell in love with this fucking
band when I first listened to them in 2001. Now, I’ll admit that I can’t really
remember anything much from that long ago but, what I can remember, is that this
band fucking rocked.
In this recording, the band is older. Record
labels notice that bands from the 2000s are profitable material and Sevendust is
just such a band. This shit is strong and in-your-face. It’s techno metal with a
lightning probe going into you. The sounds of the band from their earlier days
show themselves every once In awhile but what would you expect?
The music jumps from this
recording, from whichever format you fucking use. Loud and brash, the musical
presentation is brilliant and the production is sharp. What else can I say but,
Sevendust, keep it the fuck up!.
Great recording from start to finish. It seems as
though this band and me re-connected after twenty years. This band is so good
this review is easy and I can’t wait to hear more.
Keep up with the band - http://www.sevendust.com.
"Kill the Flaw"
(7brothers Records; 2015)
Reviewed by Jeff Rogers
This is the tenth studio disc from Sevendust and
they've only gotten better. Their latest (heavy release) was just two years ago
so it's good to know that Sevendust have no plans to retire. Lajon Witherspoon's
vocals on this disc are tight, as is the band's performance. He can power those
songs with passion. He growls when necessary but he sings with a clear voice so
you can feel the lyrics.
The guitar of Clint Lowery is awesome. He's got the metal chops to blast your
hair back and he's got the melodic talent to create a great solo, Clint can also
slow things down so you can feel the music while Lajon sings his heart out. The
rhythm section that backs these guys are nothing short of stellar. The lyrics on
"Kill the Flaw" are pretty deep, a lot of spirituality is contained within.
Sevendust have never been about sex, drugs and the party lifestyle so it's no
shock when they dig down and communicate with what a lot of people are feeling
about life.
I recommend a couple of listens through this disc to get the full effect. You'll
feel the drums on "Silly Beast," you'll feel the lyrics on "Not Today," and
you'll know the direction that Sevendust is forging. They've been consistently
solid for twenty years and that's something to admire.
Sevendust: Lajon Witherspoon - lead vocals; Clint Lowery - lead guitar, backing
vocals; John Connolly - rhythm guitar, backing vocals; Vinnie Hornsby - bass
guitar; Morgan Rose - drums, backing vocals.
Keep up with the band -
http://www.sevendust.com.
"Black Out the
Sun"
(7brothers; 2013)
Reviewed by Austin Rogers
After almost twenty years of rocking out, Sevendust has
released their ninth album. This disc is for hardcore metallers. It has pounding
drums, slashing guitar, clean and growling vocals. It’s one intense disc. Lajon
Witherspoon is in fine form when vocalizing.
The fourth track, "Mountain," has an awesome solo. "Cold as War," the fifth
track, has an awesome solo as well ... and it’s a vicious double-shot. "Decay,"
which is their first single, has some sick guitar and great vocals. Later on in
the disc, track eleven, "Picture Perfect," has a sweet riff and “Got a Feeling”
is a softer song with an acoustic guitar.
Sevendust: Lajon Witherspoon - lead vocals; John Connolly - guitars, backing
vocals; Clint Lowery - guitars, backing vocals; Vinnie Hornsby - bass guitar;
Morgan Rose - drums, backing vocals.
For more information -
http://www.sevendust.com.
"Alpha"
(Asylum; 2007)
Reviewed by Jeff Rogers
While the reviews below aptly give Sevendust accolades, I
still longed for the sound they first launched a decade ago. Back then, it was fierce and you could crank it
loud because it was fresh and repeated listens became addictive. Ten years later the fierceness is still evident but
"Alpha" lacks the passion behind the angst.
I don’t know if this musical indifference came about because of line-up changes,
the band's new label or something else entirely ... and I'm not trying to create
a scapegoat. The CD cover artwork captures the gist of what I was hoping to
hear, but the real meat should have been on the CD itself. The band continues to
grow, as they have with each release, but ultimately everything starts to sound
the same.
Thankfully, the guitar is brutal and the drums double time to create the classic sound that Sevendust
still uses to knock holes in the earth. Lajon’s vocals expand a little more than I
remember -- they are inching toward a more melodic tone but still keep with the growl that we all
remember best. The lyrics -- although difficult to read because the font size is
2 -- are searching but not revealing. Four of the five bandmates list God first
in the thank you section and, after reading their metal poetry, you get somewhat
of a better understanding of their plights in life and where they're coming
from.
I listened to "Alpha" a few times through and certain parts just shine
better than others. I hope and believe that Sevendust can re-group and bring
back the original sound while picking up and applying what they’ve learned along the way.
Sevendust: Lajon, Vinnie, John, Sonny and Morgan.
For more information, check out: http://www.sevendust.com.
"Next"
(Winedark Records; 2005)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
For a band that's gone through so many changes in both line-up and and elsewhere, Sevendust's "Next" does an amazing job of bringing new life to the band, as well as delivering the goods that fans of their previous work have come to expect.
Heavy, melodic, sometimes radio friendly, sometimes not, "Next" begins with the pulverizing "Hero" and journeys through to the last track ("Shadows in Red") by touching on everything from nu-metal to ballads to rap metal to everything in between. And, surprisingly, all that variety works.
Lyrically, the band continues to grow, with "Next" being their most mature album in that department yet.
There are those who may complain that "Next" strives too hard to be accessible here and there might be some validity to that complaint. Still, "Next" is another strong chapter in Sevendust's history and the band, despite adversity, seems destined to boldly move on.
Sevendust: Lajon John, Morgan, Vinnie and Sonny.
For more information, check out: http://www.sevendust.com.
Animosity"
(TVT Records; 2003)
Reviewed by Alicia Downs
Atlanta bred rockers Sevendust
are at it again with this, their third major label effort, "Animosity." I was never on the Sevendust bandwagon and only
mildly cared for their self-titled debut. By the time their sophomore effort "Home" rolled around
- with the exception of the single "Waffle," I was honestly bored. So it was with skeptical ears that I first spun "Animosity."
The fact that I knew both the first single, "Praise," and the Lynn Strait tribute "Angel's
Son," were on "Animosity" was enough for me to acknowledge that I would have some sort of preference for this
CD over the others.
The opening track, "Tits on a Boar," just didn't do it for me. But, as I listened
on, it was a mature sound that Sevendust belts out, filled with both intelligent and acrimonious metal-esque tunes.
The Sevendust sound is evolving past the premature Ozzfest act that blew up in 1998. Songs like
"Christmas Day," written by guitarist Clint Lowery, reflect a genuine intimacy rarely seen in hard
music. Aaron Lewis's generic cookie cutter angst has nothing on the torment expressed in
"Christmas Day."
And speaking of Aaron Lewis, "Follow" sees him making a vocal appearance alongside Lajon Witherspoon. And, for a change of pace, I can say that it was not bad!
Some tracks stand out even more so as classic Sevendust rock riffs and
melodic vocal sound such as "Trust," "Crucified" and "Deadset." Nothing comes
across uneven or out of place.
"Animosity" is the smoothest Sevendust trip yet. Fans and enemies alike can find something in this
album worth respecting. One of the few things better then this album is
Sevendust's live show.
Bands with the package caliber that Sevendust has are hard to come by in today's mainstream music arena.
Sevendust is: Lajon Witherspoon (vocals), John Connolly (guitar), Clint Lowery (guitar/vocalist), Morgan Rose (drummer and vocals), and Vince Hornsby (bass).
For more information, check out: http://www.sevendust.com
"Home"
(TVT Records; 2000)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
There were a couple of bands that made really big splashes last year. Coal Chamber was one. As was Sevendust, whose new release, "Home" is now available at your favorite record store.
The question is this: Does "Home" live up to the impressive debut that Sevendust made last year with their first CD? The answer, happily, is yes - but let us tell you they certainly had help this outing. Producing this time is legendary producer Toby Wright (with Sevendust) and, at the mixing board, is legendary Andy Wallace. With a one-two punch like that, Sevendust couldn't - and doesn't - lose.
"Home" begins with the title track, a slower, heavily driving track with chunky guitars and a nearly funky beat. It's a great tune and sets up the new CD perfectly. "Headtrip" is up next and it rocks nearly as well and as strong as "Home." Strangely, the next few tracks on the CD don't really light any fires. They're not bad - they're just kinda there. However, beginning with "Licking Cream," the CDs eighth track, Sevendust really kicks in. The tracks from this point on are all intense and daringly creative. The guitars of "Licking Cream" blend to create an almost psychedelic soundwave that combines perfectly with above-average vocals provided by Lajon. "Grasp," the 9th track, sounds almost like a movie theme, with a gentle, rolling beginning that ascends into the throbbing Sevendust sound we've come to know and love. "Feel So" and "Grasshopper," and "Bender" round the CD out, again boasting a level of creativity that takes Sevendust to the next level.
Will "Home" do as well as the band's first CD? Of course, only time will tell (especially in this age of buy-the-band's-first-CD-never-buy-another-one). But it deserves to. "Home" will sound awesome live and Sevendust excels in the live arena. If there's any complaint about the CD it's that perhaps it's a little over-produced. There is a faint loss of the rough edge that made the band's debut CD so exciting. Regardless, fans of the first CD will probably not be disappointed.
Sevendust is: Lajon, vocals; Clint Lowery, guitars; backing vocals; John Connolly, guitars; Vince Hornsby, bass; Morgan Rose, drums, backing vocals.
For more information, please visit the TVT Records website at http://www.tvtrecords.com.
"Sevendust"
(TVT Records; 1997)
Reviewed by Snidermann
Sevendust’s debut 1997 release on TVT Records is nothing short of brilliant. Fast paced, energy-packed metal that showcases not only the musical talent of the band, but also their excellent songwriting ability.
Sevendust uses blistering metal, catchy hooks and, yes, even a soft side that makes the band versatile and highly explosive. This band is ultra talented and it shows in this recording unlike any other band I have heard recently. I have yet to experience the new release, but if is anything like this one, I can’t wait to hear it. I can only wonder what this bitchin’ band is like live and frankly I can't wait.
Sevendust is Lajon, lead vocals; Morgan Rose, drums and vocals; John Connolly, guitar and vocals; Vince, bass and Clint Lowery, guitar/vocals.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2023 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights reserved.
