Though the heyday of metal-core is long gone, Lamb of God has risen from the ashes to make its bid for the title of today’s top heavy metal band. They released their new album, Wrath, Feb. 24.
Lamb of God came together in downtown Richmond while the members attended VCU. The group started out in the early 1990s as Burn the Priest — a prime candidate for most offensive band name ever — then changed it to the much more friendly and printable Lamb of God in 1998. Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, the group toured relentlessly to support themselves, while amassing a loyal and rabid fan base.
They released their breakout album, Ashes of the Wake, in 2004. They have since played at notable music festivals like Ozzfest, Download and Gigantour.
Lamb of God describes its sound as “pure American metal.” If Pantera came to Richmond, had a case of beer and tried to play punk songs, it probably would sound like Lamb of God.
Though it is a cliché to say that a band has grown, Lamb of God definitely has come long way since its days as Burn the Priest. The band’s song structures are more diverse, the guitars are tighter and the vocals have gotten better as well. The band even breaks out the acoustic guitars for some songs.
Although Lamb of God is known for frontman Randy Blythe’s guttural howl, he has expanded his range to sing melodies to accompany his screams. The first track, “The Passing”, does not sound like the group of Richmond hardcore kids that like to play metal, but like an established heavy metal band with a sense of pace. Maybe they’re slowing down, taking it easy now that fortune and fame have come their way. But the next song, “In Your Words”, begs to differ. “In Your Words” is classic Lamb of God. Sick riffs, relentless drumming and a bone-crushing breakdown make this a proper introduction to those who have never heard Lamb of God.
The latest single from Wrath, “Set to Fail,” stands as a good watermark for the band’s new direction. The song features a chorus one can actually sing. This might take some time to sink in for older fans of Lamb of God. The song also has a killer solo from guitarist and world-renowned Grizzly Adams look-alike, Mark Morton.
So far, this record has done very well in terms of sales, debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard charts. The band currently is wrapping up an eastern tour and getting ready for a North American tour that includes a stop in their hometown May 14. Having seen this band twice, I can tell you that Lamb of God delivers a high-octane show that provides plenty of bang for your buck.
With Wrath, Lamb of God has proven it’s here to stay. If you’re looking for well-orchestrated, all-killer, no-filler heavy metal, Wrath definitely is worth your time.
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