LAMB OF GOD „Wrath”

Genre: Thrash/Groove Metal
Country: USA
Band Website: www.lamb-of-god.com
Duration: 55:48
Killer Songs: Contractor,” “Grace,” “Reclamation”

Exuding a little class in its first few minutes of music, “The Passing” excites the listener’s expectations with a short guitar-driven instrumental that’s nurturing and mournful all at the same time. Once it ends, Lamb of God lay on the grimness to deliver the pummeling “In Your Words.” Full of angry hollers and muscular guitars, the song’s progression makes it clear that these Virginians aren’t departing from their signature sound any time soon. Jackhammer drums wrestle with mind-bending grooves on its follow up, the made-for-MTV single “Set To Fail.” Consider it the newest incarnation of “Redneck” from the band’s last album.

“Contractor” is just mean, mean, mean, a speedy, bruising number custom-made for a wall of death. Snapping at its heels is “Fake Messiah,” which slightly pales in comparison and only manages a memorable chorus. While Randy Blythe is content to grunt and howl throughout the 50 odd minutes of “Wrath,” the Mark Morton/Willie Adler guitar duo are busy working their riff magic on such winners as “Grace,” whose soothing intro and effortless shift to the heavy stuff puts it above most other Lamb of God songs.

Halfway through their newest opus and Lamb of God seem content to just go for the throat. “Broken Hands” and “Choke Sermon” are harsh, grooving, stomping tracks for a sweaty moshpit. “Everything To Nothing” merely increases the violence level until the massive closer “Reclamation.” Starting soft with the sound of waves lapping against a shore (a bit reminiscent of Death Angel’s “Seemingly Endless Time”), the song grows into an epic monster of mighty guitars, crushing drums, and god-sized growls. There are bonus tracks too, but “Wrath” really ends once “Reclamation” unwinds.

Without a doubt one of 2009’s blockbuster metal albums, the race for the year’s best is now on, and so far Lamb of God is leading the pack. Is anyone curious about the new Mastodon?

note: 9/10

Tracklist

1.The Passing
2.In Your Words
3.Set To Fail
4.Contractor
5.Fake Messiah
6.Grace
7.Broken Hands
8.Dead Seeds
9.Everything To Nothing
10.Choke Sermon
11.Reclamation
12.Bonus Track
13.Bonus Track

Line-up

Randy Blythe- Vocals
Willie Adler- Guitar
Mark Morton- Guitar
John Campbell-B ass
Chris Adler- Drums