Album Review: Lamb Of God - Lamb Of God

Having purged the demons of frontman Randy Blythe's incarceration on their previous LP, groove-metal titans Lamb Of God had to overcome further hurdles en route to their first record in five years.

Most notably, their eighth studio album is their inaugural effort since drummer Chris Adler's departure. His distinctive style is missed, although newcomer Art Cruz's tight and energetic playing certainly doesn't let the side down. Although not an outfit renowned for curveballs, predecessor VII: Sturm Und Drang nonetheless offered a few surprises, and a sense of freshness and vitality. This release doesn't lack intent or conviction, being perhaps their most incensed, socio-politically motivated affair in a while.

Musically though, it often feels akin to business as usual. After a moody intro, Memento Mori segues into attack mode, and eventually a seismic-shifting breakdown. Checkmate, Gears and New Colossal Hate bristle with the furious attack, taut riffs and propulsive rhythms which have elevated them to star status, but musically can feel by-the-numbers or even like re-runs of past glories after the immediate visceral thrill wears off. On the plus side, Testament legend Chuck Billy adds some class to the thrashy Routes, while Hatebreed's Jamey Jasta injects enthusiasm into Poison Dream.

There are far worse prospects than giving your audience precisely what they want, and there are bangers here that will have punters spilling their beers as they bolt towards the pit when gigs resume. Meanwhile, if it's grand artistic statements you're after, there's always that latest Tool album to delve into.