Post #4 - Lamb Of God's New Year's Resolution

Champions of modern American death metal, LAMB OF GOD’s newest release, “Resolution” sees the band once again grabbing their fans by the throat. Granted, they haven’t taken too many steps outside of the box that “Ashes Of The Wake” built, but why should they? This is a band that wielded their weapon of choice long ago and has been able to consistently bash the crap out of everyone in sight with it ever since. Even the band’s detractors have to give them some credit for that. What’s more important is that their fans are going to thoroughly enjoy this album.

“Resolution” is exactly what you would expect from LAMB OF GOD; give or take a little depending on your attention to detail. For the most part, this is an album with few surprises. However, when they do extend their grasp, the end result is quite head-turning. Opener “Straight For The Sun” is a slow and sludgey monster that serves as a bulldozer, clearing the path for the rest of the album. “The Number Six” is arguably the biggest step in the progressive direction that LOG has ever taken. Sonically and structurally, this song is miles from the band’s Southern-fried standard and sticks out as one of the album’s best moments. Bonus points for bassist John Campbell for stepping out from behind the curtain with his brief, but badass walking bass solo.  The multi-faceted and almost bi-polar “King Me” intertwines spacey psychedelia and epic melodies with LOG’s familiar groove. One of the album’s darkest offering, “Insurrection” is another tune that sees the band exploring new territory; particularly Blythe who brings a welcome, chilling element to the table on this song. “Terminally Unique” attempts to capture a similar vibe, but doesn’t quite hit the bullseye. “Visitation,” however, is able to straddle the fence and comes across as one of the disc’s most complete tunes.

The majority of “Resolution” is LAMB OF GOD doing what LAMB OF GOD does best. Willie Adler and Mark Morton go wild on riff-driven ragers like “Desolation” and “Guilty.” “The Undertow” and “Ghost Walking” serve up more Southern groove than you can shake a dinged-up Flying-V at and drummer Chris Adler can take credit for fueling every one of these fires with his percussive mastery. Sure, these songs a nestled nicely in the comfort zone, especially “Ghost Walking,” given its comparability to “Redneck,” but it’s not like the band is serving up turds here either.     

As a whole, there is little about “Resolution” to bitch about. Each of these fourteen songs has something to offer and are all delivered with LOG’s expected level of energy and skill. It was cool to hear the band take a few chances and the fact those risks paid off so well sweetened the deal that much more. Even the safest moments on this album only saw the band going to their own well, instead of just plopping out some generic, paint-by-numbers crap designed to please the masses. I won’t call “Resolution” the apex of LAMB OF GOD’s career, but it sure in the hell proves these boys still mean business.    – Ryan Ogle

Post #3 - Prong Returns With Carved Into Stone

In the late 80’s a band emerged from NYC’s underground and changed the metal world in a big way. Led by guitarist/vocalist Tommy Victor’s angst-fueled snarl and forward-thinking riffing, Prong became a source of inspirations for the like of Pantera, Korn, Fear Factory and many others acts who went on to become household names. Prong’s early 90’s releases, Beg To Differ, Prove You Wrong and the breakthrough Cleansing are still regarded as untouchable classics. After Cleansing, the band seemed to fade from the spotlight and Victor’s involvement with Ministry and Danzig overshadowed a pair of 2K releases that went largely unnoticed. With Carved In Stone, Prong will go unheard no longer.

Backed by bassist Tony Campos [Static X] and drummer Alexei Rodriguez [3 Inches of Blood], the riff-monster that is Tommy Victor roars back onto the scene with an album that not only serves as a pummeling reminder of the band’s past, but also re-solidifies Prong as one of metal’s most creative forces. From the blistering “fuck-you” to anyone who would question Prong’s return that is “Eternal Heat,” to re-visitations of the band’s pioneering early days like “Revenge Served Cold” and “Subtract,” Carved Into Stone encompasses everything that Prong has ever been or will be. Where many “comeback” albums are little more than attempts to capitalize on one’s laurels, Prong has returned to push the envelope farther than they ever have. 

Carved Into Stone will be out on April 24tth via Long Branch Records. Ahead of the album's release, Prong will hit the road with NOLA sludgemasters Crowbar for a series of dates this April. Tour dates are as follows:


4/5: Dallas, TX @ Trees
4/6: Houston, TX @ Scout Bar
4/8: El Paso, TX @ House of Rock
4/11: Hollywood, CA @ The Whisky
4/13: Gallup, NM @ Slopshot Billiards
4/14: Denver, CO @ Marquis Theater
4/16: St. Louis, MO @ Fubar
4/17: St. Paul, MN @ Station 4
4/18: Cleveland, OH @ Peabody’s
4/19: Louisville, KY @ Phoenix Hill Tavern
4/20: Chicago, IL @ Cobra Lounge
4/21: Detroit, MI @ Harpo’s