| Written by Alex Mrkonjic TRACK LISTING Dirty God Bites His Tongue Medicated Unforgiven Sickness Cheers Risen Moments Not Original Descend Life Deceives You The Truth Release Date: May 11, 2018 Label: Rise Records Website: www.sevendust.com www.facebook.com/sevendustofficial |  |
SEVENDUST IS:
Lajon Witherspoon - Vocals Clint Lowery - Lead guitars & backing vocals John Connolly - Rhythm guitars & backing vocals
Vinnie Hornsby - Bass guitars Morgan Rose - Drums & backing vocals
Lajon Witherspoon - Vocals Clint Lowery - Lead guitars & backing vocals John Connolly - Rhythm guitars & backing vocals
Vinnie Hornsby - Bass guitars Morgan Rose - Drums & backing vocals
The album All I See Is War by Sevendust was a difficult album to review. At first listen, I thought it was very boring and generic – it was one of the few times I wish a band had changed their sound completely. You really have to listen to it a couple of times to grasp what they've tried to accomplish - which is what I had to do. They decided to go with producer Michael “Elvis” Baskette (known for his work with Alter Bridge, Stone Temple Pilots, and Tremonti, to name a few), who was tasked with re-inventing the band’s sound – which is no easy task especially when a sound like Sevendust’s is so well known.
The album starts off with a typical Sevendust heavy-hitter in the first single “Dirty”. This song, along with most of the album, has a tight delivery and polished production so it feels very different then a lot of stuff the band has done before. The topic of ‘war’ shows up a lot throughout the album, but it is a heavy topic in this particular song (or as guitarist Clint Lowery like to put it: “‘War’ has been a very huge presence in our careers and our lifetimes, as it pertains to those internal conflicts and relationship conflicts and business conflicts”). It’s a great way to start off the album, yet the album takes an immediate turn on the next song, “God Bites His Tongue”. Right off the bat, you can tell the song is different just from the opening riff - but then it later transitions into a typical Sevendust track. Lead vocalist Lajon Witherspoon’s vocal range shows on this song, and the next song “Medicated”. Listen to them, and you will know what I mean.
As a listened to the album, I found myself not realizing what the next song would sound like - or even what to expect. Sometimes, it’s a good thing - but other times, it falls flat (especially in “Not Original”, their attempt at a ballad that - I will be honest - is just straight up boring). A couple of songs towards the end of the album, like “Life Deceives You” and “Descend” are good, but at the same time quite forgettable, and at times, tried to do too much in terms of changing up the sound.
Overall, I can appreciate what Sevendust has tried to do with their twelfth studio effort, which - believe me - was not the opinion that I had on the album before, which I look at as a good thing. They have managed to change my view on the album: I like the fact I don’t know what the next song is going to sound like. However, some of the songs are forgettable no matter how many times I try to like them. At the same time, if you are looking for a change, you may want to consider giving this album a try.
Final Rating: 7.5/10
The album starts off with a typical Sevendust heavy-hitter in the first single “Dirty”. This song, along with most of the album, has a tight delivery and polished production so it feels very different then a lot of stuff the band has done before. The topic of ‘war’ shows up a lot throughout the album, but it is a heavy topic in this particular song (or as guitarist Clint Lowery like to put it: “‘War’ has been a very huge presence in our careers and our lifetimes, as it pertains to those internal conflicts and relationship conflicts and business conflicts”). It’s a great way to start off the album, yet the album takes an immediate turn on the next song, “God Bites His Tongue”. Right off the bat, you can tell the song is different just from the opening riff - but then it later transitions into a typical Sevendust track. Lead vocalist Lajon Witherspoon’s vocal range shows on this song, and the next song “Medicated”. Listen to them, and you will know what I mean.
As a listened to the album, I found myself not realizing what the next song would sound like - or even what to expect. Sometimes, it’s a good thing - but other times, it falls flat (especially in “Not Original”, their attempt at a ballad that - I will be honest - is just straight up boring). A couple of songs towards the end of the album, like “Life Deceives You” and “Descend” are good, but at the same time quite forgettable, and at times, tried to do too much in terms of changing up the sound.
Overall, I can appreciate what Sevendust has tried to do with their twelfth studio effort, which - believe me - was not the opinion that I had on the album before, which I look at as a good thing. They have managed to change my view on the album: I like the fact I don’t know what the next song is going to sound like. However, some of the songs are forgettable no matter how many times I try to like them. At the same time, if you are looking for a change, you may want to consider giving this album a try.
Final Rating: 7.5/10
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