After being hooked to the lambs for over 4 years straight, i was very excited when i finally bought the Wrath album from my neighborhood music store. I was actually surprised to find it in a dreary place like faridabad, but that's a different story altogether.
Most carefully did i tear off the lamination and slide the disc into my car's stereo. What i heard for the next hour or so, however, was nothing short of utter disappointment.
Going by how beautifully the guys have progressed with each album that they have released, I expected this to be LOG's best work so far. And it was - but only production wise. Never have these guys sounded better. The mixing in there is superb and everything gels in well - except of course, for times when they've deliberately accentuated certain parts. The bass, for instance, in Contractor - which was a first in itself.
But coming back to my disappointment. Blythe is all over the fucking place! His vocals sound forced especially in his 'choke sermon'. And whatever it is that they are trying with their melodic riffs and solos. The solos lacked prominence and seemed highly uninspired to me. A few listens down, i still cant recall what any of their songs sounded like... Unlike their earlier albums that had tracks so catchy, that even my gardener would hum it to his kids.
The one track that Blythe did work good enough to give me goose flesh though, is 'In your Words'. A song that is opened by a floozy 'The passing'. The sound of which reminded me of my gods from the time i was still in school - Metallica. It is songs like 'In your words' that makes Lamb of God themselves. Sadly, it is songs like these that Wrath Lacks. 'Reclamation' comes a close second to In your Words with its powerful vocals and sledgehammer like riffs. Beautiful.
Needless to say Adler continues to churn out groove after unbelievable groove, many of which are interspersed by near incomprehensible fills.
All in all, even though i don't really hate this album, it is what Reload was for metallica, or what popularly perceived, 10000days was for Tool.
PS on 14th march2009 - actually i like dead seeds also
