Posts Tagged ‘Nu-Metal’

disturbed-believe-album-cover_552510Now that we are done with all 50 of the best metal albums of all time list according to Loudwire, I thought it was time to move on to cover albums that I love or I am curious about discovering. The album that I chose for this week’s Album of the Week comes from one of the most intense metal albums to be spawned from the Nu-Metal scene in Chicago’s own Disturbed. The band was coming off of their breakout debut album The Sickness that was released in 2000 and add to that the death of singer David Draiman’s grandfather and the events of 9/11 and you have 2002’s Believe, the sophomore effort from the band. The band which consisted of Draiman (Vocals), Dan Donegan (Guitars), Mike Wengren (Drums), and for the very last time Steve “Fuzz” Kmak (Bass) who was fired from the band in 2003. Once again with the help of producer Johnny K, the band would release their first album to ever debut at number one on the Billboard Top 200 Charts as it sold over 284,000 copies in the first week. Behind three singles, the album would go double platinum as it also peaked at number one in New Zealand and number two in Canada.

00073601. Prayer– The first single off of the record was a culmination of two events with one being the death of David’s death and the second being the clergy’s response to 9/11. David explains saying, “Instead of consoling their flock, people [of the clergy] like Jerry Falwell and Oral Roberts chastised them and used the situation as a means of empowerment, saying it was our own fault because we’re a decadent and promiscuous people. I just thought that whole notion is ridiculous.” So essentially the song is about David having a conversation with God. 5/5

2. Liberate– This was the third single off of the record and it features elements from the first record in the track as David tells you that you it’s OK to believe in God, but he also tells you to have an open mind towards other possibilities or other people’s beliefs. 5/5

3. Awaken-an intense track right from the start with a very melodic verse and heavy chorus style, the song is all about America’s obsession with cookie cutter/wallpaper music. 5/5

4. Believe-An interesting track lyrically from the band that deals with the idea of people who think that just because they are religious or believe in God, does not mean that they are absolved from their sins. 4.5/5

5. Remember– The second single off of the album and one of the best tracks on the record that lyrically deals with how cutthroat the music industry can be and how David has stayed away from the various temptations the industry can offer. 5/5

6. Intoxication-This is one of two tracks on the album that deals with the difficulties that David has faced when dealing with relationships. This one is more in the sense of how relationships can be intoxicating and how it can blind you from people’s true intentions. 4.5/5

believe(ltd)-disc17. Rise– This was one of the coolest songs to hear live when it was being performed by the band at the time. I like the lyrics to the track because it’s all about being yourself and not someone you wish you were. Rise and be you! 4.5/5

8. Mistress-Musically not my favorite track, but I do like the lyrics as it deals with how a lot of men have idolized women and the hardship that comes with the result of doing so. 3.9/5

9. Breathe-a decent track on the record that’s all about someone who is so self centered that when he finally realizes it, it’s way too late for him to change. 4.2/5

10. Bound– This is the other track that focuses on David’s troubles with relationships in the sense that because he is bound to his beliefs and who he is, it’s hard to maintain relationships when they want to change him. 4.5/5

11. Devour– a track that is all about David telling someone that no matter what he will be there for them whether they think they need it or not and that he will devour their problems. 4/5

12. Darkness– a very melodic track that features piano, very different vocals by David, and Alison Chesley playing cello on the track that is all about David’s personal journey following the death of his grandfather. 4/5

My Final Thoughts-This was definitely one of my favorite releases from Disturbed in where almost every track is a banger with a few exceptions like Mistress. Nonetheless, this was the growing up stage for Disturbed as things only got bigger for the band from here. That is why I am giving the album 4.5 stars out of five for a final grade.

0000329891I remember when System Of A Down first came out with their self titled album in 1998, they were a band that just stormed the scene out of nowhere with their whacked out in your face alt metal assault. They were the right kind of band to come out when they did because soon enough Rage Against The Machine would be no more and we needed a new band to take over the activist mantra and they did just that with their second album Toxicity.  The album which once again featured Serj Tankian (Vocals/Keyboard/Strings), Daron Malakian (Guitars/Sitar/Vocals), Shavo Odadjian (Bass), and John Dolmayan (Drums) released the album September 4, 2001 and it was produced by Rick Rubin as well as Serj and Daron. The album was a huge success upon it’s release as it peaked at number one on the Billboard Top 200 Charts in the US and in Canada as it sold 220,000 copies in it’s first week. The album was certified triple platinum a year later as well as finishing at 101 on the Billboard Year End charts in 2001 and then it finished 28TH in 2002. Another achievement from the album is that every single released charted on the Billboard Hot 100 as well as having a single finish number one on both the Mainstream Rock Tracks and the Modern Rock Tracks charts. Loudwire ranked the album 13 on their 50 Best Metal Albums of All Time list.

System of a Down - Toxicity back1. Prison Song– an in your face track kicks off the album in this track that was said to be written about how our prisons are overflowing with Americans and so we keep building more prisons. 4/5

2. Needles– an interesting track where one may feel that they are talking about drugs and how can I blame you with a title like that. But I saw someone explain that the song is about euthanasia and the idea of how tough it is to grow old especially when the body begins to fall apart. 4.5/5

3. Deer Dance-a relentless track that is all about the protests that happened during the 2000 Democratic National Convention. 4/5

4. Jet Pilot-SOAD does not take their foot off the pedal going into this track which I ultimately think is a metaphor for the environment 4/5

5. X– a track that is all about how oppressive a government can be especially when it starts telling the people what they can and can’t do. 4.5/5

6. Chop Seuy!– This was the first single off the record and controversy followed it due to the fact that it was released during the week of 9/11. Daron explains the meaning to the lyrics saying, “The song is about how we are regarded differently depending on how we pass. Everyone deserves to die. Like, if I were now to die from drug abuse, they might say I deserved it because I abused dangerous drugs. Hence the line, ‘I cry when angels deserve to die’. The lyric passages ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit’ and ‘why have you forsaken me?’ are a reference to Jesus’ death on the cross, as, according to the Gospels, it was one of the seven things Jesus said while dying.” 5/5

7. Bounce-an in your face track that surprisingly is about group sex. I love how it goes crazy during the chorus and calm during the verses. 5/5

toxicity-589cd99826a8a8. Forest-a great track that I think is about how the original concept of religion has been ruined by the people who take something that should be about peace and love, but have created war over it. 5/5

9. ATWA-One of my favorite tracks on the album that starts calm with the clean channel playing before they kick it in overdrive for the choruses. The song is based off of Charles Manson’s views on the environment. 5/5

10. Science– an interesting view on the world of science and the age old topic of science vs religion. It tackles the idea of how science without a moral/faith based view and  understanding could destroy the earth, but also could lead us to the promise land. 5/5

11. Shimmy-an interesting track that looks at the idea of how school instills what the majority believes is the right thing for you to believe in like education, marriage, etc. 4.5/5

12. Toxicity– Another one of my favorite tracks on the album. According to wikipedia, the track is played, ” predominately in triple meter, alternating between 6/4, 12/8 and 4/4 time. The guitar during the verse plays in 6/4 using a 2+2+2 phrasing while the heavy part (“somewhere between the sacred silence and sleep”) makes use of a hemiola with the guitar switching to a 3+3+3+3 pattern while the drums remain in compound duple meter until the bridge.” According to John the song is about, “your poisonous content. Your toxicity level. But toxicity doesn’t necessarily mean the toxicity of a person, it can be the toxicity of a city. Or the toxicity of a nation. The toxicity of a speech. It’s just toxicity in general or whatever.” 5/5

13. Psycho– A great track to hear and sing along with live in this track that is all about drugs and groupies. 5/5

14. Aerials– The best song on the whole entire album with it’s clean channel guitar intro and incredible guitar riff during the chorus that is intoxicating to listen to. The track is about how ignorant we can be as a society when we close our minds to those who are different or have different opinions. An incredible track that still translates well today. 5/5

My Final Thoughts– Besides the Mezmerize/Hypnotize albums, this might be the best piece of work that System Of A Down ever put out as almost every track is brilliant. I have always favorite the mid to late tracks on this album more than I did the opening tracks hence the grades. Check out the album and I am giving the record 4.6 stars out of five for a final grade.

55711In 2007, KoЯn had released their Untitled 8TH album which was the first without longtime drummer David Silveria and it faced a lot of backlash at the time. So, the band eventually decided that they were going to take a year off to refocus their minds and work on solo projects to help replenish their minds. The band eventually decided that for their ninth studio album that they wanted to go back to their roots of the first two records so they swore off pro-tools & editing and they hired the man who originally produced their first two records in Nu-Metal’s favorite producer Ross Robinson for what would eventually be titled KoЯn III: Remember Who You Are. The album once again featured Jonathan Davis (Vocals, Bagpipes), James “Munky” Shaffer (Guitars), Fieldy (Bass), and for the first time ever on record and as an official member of the band Ray Luzier (Drums). The album was released on July 13, 2010 and it was a huge success for the band as it peaked at number two on the Billboard Top 200 Charts, but the album scored number one status for US Rock Albums, US Alternative Albums, and US Hard Rock Albums as well as finishing in the top five in Canada, Austria, Germany, and New Zealand.

51-tkiy6h8L._SY400_1. Uber-time– An intro track that features some audio that leads right into the next track 4/5

2. Oildale (Leave Me Alone)– A punishing track that just absolutely rips from the get go that has that old school feel to it. I thin the track has something more to do with his dislike for religion and God. 5/5

3. Pop A Pill– A very Life Is Peachy like track that is all about drug addiction if you couldn’t tell from the title. 5/5

4. Fear Is A Place To Live– One of my favorite tracks on the album that is all about those people claim to be your friend or family, but they wear a mask in front of you and a different one when you’re not around. 5/5

5. Move On– a little bit of a Follow The Leader/Life Is Peachy feel to the track that is all about no matter what you do you can’t please everyone so you have to just move on. 4.5/5

6. Lead The Parade a raw in your face, take no prisoners track that is all about how depression can make us think crazy things that can drive us to insanity. 4.5/5

imgbin-korn-iii-remember-who-you-are-music-issues-album-korn-LtPm1jFajBMRxc9NsHi4zKLnf7. Let The Guilt Go– Another track on the album that is underrated because of it’s intensity about someone who just keeps messing up because they can’t let the guilt of something go. By the way, this track was nominated for Best Metal Performance at the Grammy Awards, but they lost to Iron Maiden. 5/5

8. The Past– a very dark and melodic creepy intro starts the track before Luzier brings the thunder that helps kick off the track that is all about how no matter how badly we want to forget our past, it’s always there to remind us. 4.5/5

9. Never Around-This track reminds of something that would have been released on Take A Look In The Mirror with it’s big bass riff that matches the big bombastic guitar riffs and melodic verses. The track is about a relationship that has gone bad. 4.5/5

10. Are You Ready to Live?-This has to a be a very personal track for Jonathan Davis because at the crop circle performance you could tell it took a lot out of him especially with the mic drop and the “I fucking hate that song”. 4.5/5

11. Holding All These Lies– a very Raw and self titled debut feel to the track that according to something I saw Ross made Jonathan’s wife come into the studio to have him sing it in front of her. I don’t know if that is true or not, but Jonathan did say the album was torture to record. 4.5/5

My Final Thoughts– This was certainly a great look back at the raw intensity that was KoЯn back in the day. This was definitely my favorite of the post David Silveria era KoЯn albums with The Serenity Of Suffering being my other favorite. It’s a complete album with very little filler if any at all which is why I am giving it 4.6 stars out of five for a final grade.

slipknot by slipknotOne of the coolest bands to come out of the late 1990’s Nu Metal scene was none other than the almighty Slipknot, the crushing nine member band from Des Moines, Iowa. The first time I saw the band was on the second stage of Ozzfest 1999 and you just knew that these guys were something very special even back then. On June 29, 1999 via Roadrunner Records, the band would release their self titled debut album and it made quite the impact. The band which was made up of (#8) Corey Taylor (Vocals), (#7) Mick Thomson (Guitars), (#6) Shawn “Clown” Crahan (Percussion), (#5) Craig “133” Jones (Samples/Media), (#4) Jim Root (Guitars), (#3) Chris Fehn (Percussion), (#2) Paul Gray (Bass), (#1) Joey Jordison (Drums), and (#0) Sid Wilson (Turntables) would see their debut album peak at #51 on the Billboard Top 200 charts while it also finished at #98 on The Billboard Top 200 Year End Charts. It was also the number one album on both the Top Heatseekers and Independent albums Charts while also going two times platinum along the way in the US (It also went platinum in Australia, Japan, and the UK). The album also faced some controversy along the way over two tracks that you will read about below, but this album placed the band on the map.

slipknot back cover1. 742617000027– an intro track that kicks off the album with some Charles Manson dialogue and some guitar scratching samples from Craig Jones. 4/5

2. (sic)– The first real track on the album that kicks off with some drum fury and an in your face guitar riff complete with Sid’s signature scratching in a track that is all about getting back at those that wronged you. 5/5

3. Eyeless– kicks off with an industrial dance beat like that you would hear from Prodigy before the band kicks in turning this into an industrial banger in a track about how Corey never knew his father. The Marlon Brando part is apparently what a homeless man in New York was screaming. 4.5/5

4. Wait And Bleed– This was the first single off the album that captured me as a fan of the band that Joey Jordison wrote the music for and Corey Taylor says the song is about, “The song’s about that switch in your head that can go at any moment. You go from being a civilized human being to someone who can commit terrible acts. I’ve always been fascinated by the fact we represent ourselves as civilized when, at any moment, we can become animals.” 5/5

5. Surfacing– This is one of the most ferocious songs to hear live because this is a track that will smash your head in with every beat in a track that is a middle finger to all the people who spread their hate on to you. 5/5

compact-disc-slipknot-5-the-gray-chapter-liner-notes-album-cd-covers6. Spit It Out– a speed metal rap styled song that’s all about having that friend that constantly walks all over you and uses you until you finally decide that your done with it. 5/5

7. Tattered & Torn-a track that M. Shawn Crahan wrote and it makes sense about the clown character. There can be all this hurt and pain behind the makeup, but on the outside it’s masked by a happy face. 4.5/5

8. Frail Limb Nursery– This is the prequel to a story that will be explored in the next track and it’s one of the two tracks that caused controversy. 4/5

9. Purity-The track was about a girl named Purity Knight who was buried alive, but the problem is that the website that reported it claimed that the story was fake while Corey believes it to be true. This track and the previous track were omitted from the reissue of the album. 5/5

10. Liberate-an in your face, go for the throat track that features a little of that Nu-Metal flavor while asking you to Liberate your madness!!! 5/5

11. Prosthetics– This is a cool track that is inspired by the book The Collector by John Fowles about a social awkward man that decides to kidnap a woman in hopes that the longer he has her locked away the closer to loving him she will. 4.5/5

Photo of SLIPKNOT12. No Life-another speed metal rap song about being trapped in a life that is just not healthy for your psyche. 4/5

13. Diluted-a track that is very relatable lyrically because it talks about how confusing life can be and how we can easily get depressed when it seems that things are not going our way. 4/5

14. Only One– a bad ass track about being sick and tired of someone talk sh** about you that you decide enough is enough and you need to break his face. 4.5/5

15. Scissors– The last track on the album that goes for eight minutes before going quiet then at the 13 minute mark it’s a conversation between the band that lasts for three minutes before the bonus track Eeyore finishes it off. 4.5/5

My Final Thoughts– While ranked this one at number 48 on their Top 50 Metal Albums Of All Time list, I definitely throw this one a little further because it made an last impression on me as I continue to be a Slipknot fan 19 years later. My favorite tracks on the album are obvious choices like Wait And Bleed, Surfacing, Spit It Out, but throw Liberate and Purity in there as well. My least favorite tracks are Diluted (musically) and No Life. I am going to give the album 4.6 stars out of five for a final grade.

5f17d88bc7bf44d6ab2f357020a541ebThe late 90’s/early 200’s Nu Metal scene did produce a lot of bands that we shall not talk about, but it did also produce some bands that are worthy of a conversation. One of those bands that is worth talking about is Chicago based Alt-Metal (fancier word for Nu-Metal) band Soil who was made up of Ryan McCombs (Lead Singer), Shaun Glass (Guitar), Adam Zadel (Guitar), Tim King (Bass), and Tom Schofield (Drums). The first time I saw the band or heard them was on Ozzy’s 2001 Winter arena tour that he did with Rob Zombie and Mudvayne. I was completely blown away by the band and I had to buy their second studio album Scars which was officially released September 11, 2001 (of all days to be released) via J Records. Despite the misfortunes of the release date, the album was actually pretty successful and that was due to the promoting of two key singles for the band that performed well on the charts in Halo and Unreal. Their success could also be attributed to Clive Davis who signed the band to his label J Records saying, “you’re gonna be my only rock band for now. You’re going to be a priority, and I want to break this band.” The album peaked at number 193 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts as well as number ten on the heatseekers charts.

51Fz4Q73-FL1. Breaking Me Down– The song starts off with an explosion of pure hard rock metal grooves before Ryan McCombs showcases his vocal abilities in a fast pace. I think the track is about how a guy keeps trying to change for his girl, but its not enough. 4.5/5

2. Halo– The first single off the record that has this killer hook that is just infectious from the start in this track that is all about the inner war of a man and all the things he has to deal with while trying to remain a man. 5/5

3. Need To Feel– This is a pretty awesome rock song if you ask me where Glass and Zadel showcase their talents. The track is about a person wanting more from their relationship because they need to feel more from it. 5/5

4. Wide Open– an in your face , freight train of a track that packs one hell of a punch while adding a melodic twist to it at times. I think the track is about someone who knows their partner is vulnerable and takes advantage of it. 5/5

5. Understanding Me– a groove crushing track that is all about someone who is finally telling their bully or their hater that you may think you will never understand what they truly are. 4.5/5

6. My Own– A melodic intro opens up the track before the band crushes it with the groove as it sounds like Ryan is singing into a megaphone during the verses. I love the guitar sound on this track, it reminds me of the beginning of Wherever I May Roam. 4.5/5

7. Unreal– Ryan described the track saying, “the amount of control, or better, the lack of control one seems to have over his/her own life at times… and the feeling that maybe there is a higher power out there and if there is, he clearly doesn’t give a fuck about me now or the times you seem to need a little help the most.” 5/5

scars-4fb428d53228e8. Inside– A groove heavy track where he sings part of the track in a very low talking tone before flexing his pipes in a track that I believe talks about him reaching out saying that he is all you need. 4/5

9. Two Skins– An interesting track that talks about how man can have two skins which is basically the classic tale of the demon and angle on the shoulders. 4/5

10. The One– an up-tempo rock track that is all about mending an old friendship that could have ended for any number of reasons. 4/5

11. New Faith– a melodic track that talks about how people may be losing faith in religion and they are looking for something new. 4/5

12. Why– a bass driven track that just rips through your speaker in a track that is just about someone who is questioning why things have happened the way they have in his life. 4/5

13. Black 7– a very ominous track that ends the album and I am not quite sure what black 7 means, but it could refer to the seven deadly sins. I just feel it has something to do with that kind of world for some reason. 4/5

My Final Thoughts– Musically this is one amazing album, but lyrically the album could get lazy at times and it certainly drops off for me towards the end. My favorite tracks are Unreal, Halo, Wide Open, and Need To Feel. My least favorite tracks are Two Skins and The One. I am giving the album 4.42 stars out of five for a final grade.

linkinOne of the saddest moments of 2017 was the fact that we not only lost Chris Cornell, but that a short time later we also lost Chester Bennington of Linkin Park. I can remember as a member of Massasoit Community College’s radio station, we were invited to a record release party for Hybrid Theory and at that time I had no idea how huge this band would become. After six amazing studio albums, I wondered what else could this band possibly do and the album One More Light was the answer as it was voted Album Of The Year by you the fans at this years Monster Entertainment Awards. The final lineup on the record was Chester (Vocals), Mike Shinoda (Vocals, Programming, Keyboards), Brad Delson (Guitars), Phoenix (Bass), Joe Hahn (Programming), and Rob Bourdon (Drums). The album was produced by Brad Delson and Mike Shinoda and it was released on May 19, 2017 via Warner Brothers. The album did so well that peaked at number one in 7 different countries while also peaking in the top 5 in 7 different countries. In the year end album charts it finished at number 90 on the US Billboard top 200 too. The album was recorded very differently than usual as they recorded vocals first and then built the music around it. In an interview with Zane Lowe, Shinoda described the record saying, “In terms of the style of the record, it’s one of the most diverse stylistically, there’s more genres mashed into this album than anything we’ve ever put out. You don’t hear a lot of super heavy guitars. There isn’t any screaming on the record. To some extent it is a very polished record. Stylistically we wanted to blend all of the sound and genres together in a way you can’t tell them apart.”

linkin 21. Nobody Can Save Me– The track that kicks off this musical experiment with some electronic elements mixed in with some guitars and I feel this is a very personal song from Chester. It’s like he’s saying that no matter what you tell him, he doesn’t feel he can be saved. 4/5

2. Good Goodbye– The second track that follows the more hip hop element of the band mixed with the guitars and such. The song features Pusha T and Stormzy providing their own verses along with Shinoda who raps the first verse. I feel like this is a track where the band is saying if you’re not with us then goodbye to you. 5/5

3. Talking To Myself– One of my favorite tracks on the album that has more of a rock/pop sound that Chester is talking about a relationship that just isn’t going anywhere. 5/5

4. Battle Symphony– Another amazing song on the album where Chester is telling you that no matter hate is thrown at him, he will always have his guard up, but he’s also pleading to the fans not to give up on him either. 5/5

5. Invisible– One of the tracks that features singing from Shinoda and I was impressed with it. It’s one of those tracks that if something bad happened to you that you no longer have to worry because he is going to be there for you now because he’s not afraid to speak up anymore. 5/5

linkin 36. Heavy– A track that truly took a lot of criticism upon it’s release for being a slow burn pop song, but it’s honestly a great track featuring Kiiara on vocals as well. It’s a very deep track that kind of pinpoints Chester’s depression because the song is a metaphor for when it rains it pours kind of attitude. 5/5

7. Sorry For Now– This is the other track on the album that features Shinoda singing the vocals in a track that is about someone who knows that he messed up because maybe he wasn’t there for the person and he understands that they are mad, but he saying I will try next time. The track in parts has an almost dubstep feel to it. 4.5/5

8. Halfway Right-The song is kind of retrospective lyrically because it’s Chester looking back at how he may have handled things wrong back in the day, but he finally realizes that now. 5/5

9. One More Light-A very personal and amazing track that deal with the idea of loss and how some take it for granted. Another example of how brilliant Chester really was and this is a track to help you with loss. 5/5

10. Sharp Edges– The last track on the album that has a little bit of a folk feel to it ina  track that is all about how you should listen to your elders because they now a thing or two about life, but sometimes you do need to live a little too. 4/5

My Final Thoughts– Listening to this album, you realize how brilliant this band is and even though Chester is gone, we have a catalog to remember his brilliance. I think the direction change was ballsy, but I think it paid off in the long run because they’ve always done what they’ve wanted to do. I love every track on this album, but my favorite songs are Invisible and Talking To Myself. This time I am not picking a least favorite track so I am going to go ahead and give the album 4.7 stars out of five for a final grade.

sevendustAs I stated a couple of weeks ago, one of my favorite bands besides Korn to come out of the rubble of the Nu-Metal scene is the band Sevendust. The band has soldiered through label changes, lifestyle changes, and has persevered for 24 years as a band which is a huge accomplishment these days. That is why I have decided to cover the band’s third album Animosity for this week’s Album of the Week. The album which featured Lajon Witherspoon (Lead Vocals), Clint Lowery (Lead Guitar), John Connolly (Rhythm Guitar), Vinnie Hornsby (Bass), and Morgan Rose (Drums) was released on November 13, 2001 via TVT Records. The album peaked at number 28 on the Billboard Top 200 charts where it had been for 13 straight weeks. It was certified Gold four months later which was helped by the fact that four singles out of the five all charted. It was also the number one Top Independent album on the charts as well as producing two top 15 mainstream rock charts singles. One cool thing about the album is that the band released five different versions of the album over a two year period and each varied in what it contained. The band had already proven that there was no sophomore slump with Home and they were about to prove that they were here to stay with Animosity.

sevendust 21. T.O.A.B.– The first track on the album and if you were wondering it stands for Tits on A Boar. The track starts fading in with some machine like sounds before it launches into a sledgehammer of a track that talks about that person you know that you don’t like because they are just bad in general. 4/5

2. Praise-One of the singles off the album that grooves with the best of them in a track that could be a track that is talking from Christs perspective about how people may hate him, but they praise him when they need him. Even though the hate is strong though, he still will never deny them. 5/5

3. Trust– The song starts off with a melodic intro before it launches into overdrive. The song I think is about how he had someone, but they went away because he broke their trust. 5/5

4. Crucified– an interesting track that I think is about how he may have stood up for someone and he was vilified for it while they just went on with life. 4.5/5

5. XMas Day-a very cool acoustic track that was written by Clint about his mother and the relationship they had. 5/5

6. Dead Set-A very underrated track that Lajon sounds like gold on this headbanger that is all about struggling with your inner demons. 4.5/5

animosity-4f221747cd41f7. Shine-a cool track that I think Lajon is talking about how he just doesn’t feel like himself in a relationship even though he would love to see it shine. 4/5

8. Follow– This is a track on the album that features Aaron Lewis of Staind doing some vocals as well. It’s a very melodic track, but I have to say that I love Morgan’s playing on this track. 4/5

9. Damaged– This is a very deep track lyrically in this bass driven track that I think is talking about someone who is so damaged that they are suicidal. 4/5

10. Live Again-This was the album’s second single released that I think lyrically is talking about someone who has such a bad sense of self that Lajon is trying to urge them to live again and forget the BS. 4.5/5

11. Beautiful-a track that has those monster bass riffs to go along with the hard driving guitars in a track that Lajon is talking about life on the road becoming so dull that they need something refreshing to look at. 4/5

12. Redefine– a very cool track that Lajon is talking about something that keeps holding him back, but he wants to be free so that he can accomplish the things he wants to do. 4/5

13. Angel’s Son– Probably one of the best tracks that was originally released on the Strait Up CD that was done as a tribute to former Snot singer Lynn Strait. 5/5

My Final Thoughts– This album at the time was further proof that these guys were far from done and as history will state they are about to release their 12TH album this year. So many awesome tracks on the album that my favorites are Angel’s Son, Praise, Trust, and XMas Day. It’s hard to pick a least favorite track on an album that is this good, but if I had to it would be Beautiful. Check out this album, I am going to give it 4.5 stars out of five for a final grade.