SEVENDUST
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 and vocalist), Morgan Rose (drummer and vocal ), and Vince Hornsby (bass).
For more information, check out: http://www.sevendust.com
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 song writing 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 © 2007 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 15 Jul 2010 01:42:20 -0500.
