Hard Rock pros, Sevendust, march on with new album Black Out the Sun.
Source: Metalsucks.net
After the departure of founding member and guitarist, Clint Lowery, Sevendust remained at form and put out three quality albums. However, something was missing from their sound (no disrespect to fill-in guitarist Sonny Mayo). The full tone of Lowery's guitar distortion was not there, and his guitar tone is one of the defining elements of Seasons, Home, Animosity, and the self-titled Sevendust album. When Clint joined Dark New Day, that full-bodied guitar tone went with him, helping create one of the best sonically sounding and impressive debut albums out there; this of course being Twelve Year Silence. When Lowery returned to Sevendust in 2008, the album Cold Day Memory marked a return to the Sevendust sound that I grew up with. That album was one of the best full-band-back-together albums I have ever heard. Black Out the Sun takes all that to another level with Lajon Witherspoon (lead vocals), Clint Lowery (lead guitar, backing vocals), John Connolly (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Vince Hornsby (bass), and Morgan Rose (drums, backing vocals). I was hoping for a heavy, yet melodic sound to the new album and that's exactly what Black Out the Sun delivers. This record honestly sounds like it could have been released during the Animosity era, which makes me ecstatic.
Sevendust fully went back to their roots on Black Out the Sun, and the acoustic 80's metal-esque intro track, "Memory," introduces the album perfectly. Starting the album off with acoustic guitar was very refreshing. Every first song on a Sevendust album, has been over the years, extremely solid and one of the best tracks on the track list. In this case, the first song is "Faithless," and right from the aggressive opening, it becomes clear that it's one of the heaviest and downright impressive tracks that the band has ever written. While staying old-school, the track feels fresh, and the chorus features a melodic element similar to Animosity. "Till Death" follows suit and delivers a heavy, thrash metal, and Home-like experience. The track truly shows the skill and musicianship of every member in the band. The lead-in to the second verse is one of my favorite moments on the album. "Mountain" is a fury of blues inspired, drop-A guitar riffs, with soul-driven vocals that will have you singing the chorus for months. The song feels like a new venture for the band; a direction that really pays off.
"Cold as War" is reminiscent of "Crucified" off their 2001 Animosity album. The opening chorus' guitar riff and soaring vocals throughout the track, were what stood out to me. The title track, "Black Out the Sun," starts off with a lightly overdriven guitar intro that leads into a riff that could have been taken directly off Animosity (it's one of the best riffs on BOtS). The song is a personal one for the band, pertaining to the passing of Lowery's father. My prayers are with the entire Lowery and Sevendust family. You can hear the emotion beaming off the lyrics, vocals, and guitar work. The title track has a very strong chorus and the guitar solo, including multiple harmonies, is just plain beautiful (especially the blending of the guitar notes and vocal note on the last chorus' line of "Why did you black out the Sun"). The end riff-age of the song is truly special, as well. The whole track is one of my favorite Sevendust moments.
"Nobody Wants It" has an old-school Sevendust feel, consisting of heavy guitar riffs, and a melodic, Seasons-esque chorus. The key modulation on the final chorus is a great touch, setting up an extremely heavy ending. Beautifully overdriven guitar arpeggios, ultimately, help make "Dead Roses" one of the most melodic songs on the new album. The chorus is fast and melodic, which adds another element to the record. The first single off the album, "Decay," does not disappoint. With a palm-muted, groove-driven verse, and a chorus that sounds directly off Home, "Decay" is one of Sevendust's most impressive singles to date. The tune has one of my favorite endings, as well. If you want two songs that sound like they're from Animosity, then look no further than "Dark AM" and "Picture Perfect." The verses and choruses on both tracks feel new, but could have easily been recorded in the early 2000's. Both songs have immensely strong opening riffs, verses, and choruses. "Picture Perfect" boasts one of the most melodic choruses on the album, which pleases my melodic side. The bridge is also one of the best bridges that Sevendust has ever written; it's filled with so much emotion that I keep repeating it over and over. "Got a Feeling" reminds me a lot of previous tracks, such as "Angel's Son" and "Skeleton Song." Clint's vocals are incredible on this song, along with Lajon's amazing bridge melodies. Also, there is such beautiful guitar work that leads into the thought-provoking line, "God really knows us all." The closing track, "Murder Bar," finishes this album off the right way: heavy. This song delivers, with a high energy verse (sounding like old-school Sevendust), a heavy chorus, and an aggressive breakdown. The drum and guitar work really shine on "Murder Bar," and the second verse features musicianship that is rare these days.
Sevendust has delivered another quality album with Black Out the Sun. The repeat value is high on this one, while the record retains the heavy and melodic elements of previous albums in their catalog. I initially won't rate this one as high as Seasons, Animosity, and Home, but after a month or so of listening to the album, it might garner a higher rating. Ultimately, I would compare Black Out the Sun to Cold Day Memory, maybe even rate it a step higher. Black Out the Sun is right up there with the Sevendust greats, culminating as a mix among Animosity, Home, Seasons, and Cold Day Memory.
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Purchase Black Out the Sun from SEVENDUST.com, Best Buy, Amazon , or iTunes.
Track Listing:
- Memory
- Faithless
- Till Death
- Mountain
- Cold as War
- Black Out the Sun
- Nobody Wants It
- Dead Roses
- Decay
- Dark AM
- Picture Perfect
- Got a Feeling
- Murder Bar
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