LAMB OF GOD: Ashes Of The Wake (METALCORE): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

In 1990, three students met and formed the group Burn The Priest. They toured for 10 years without releasing a single EP or demo, and in 1999, they released their first eponymous album, which was somewhat overshadowed by the media. In 2000, they released "As The Palaces Burn" under their definitive name, Lamb Of God. One will note in passing the religious connotations claimed, witnesses of a music which wants to be committed. After a third album appreciated by the critics, they record what will be the album of maturity, the one that will impose the style and the sound of Lamb Of God: "Ashes Of The Wake".

What strikes first of all is one of the greatest qualities of this album: the sound. The production is simply insane, with a surgical precision, just like the riffs revealed by the combo, and it is with "Ashes Of The Wake" that Lamb Of God defines this very chiseled sound signature, trademark of the band, putting forward Chris Adler, the drummer, and the subtleties of his playing (for example, the binary rhythmic creating a gap with the ternary riff of 'One Gun'). Each piece allows the musicians to express themselves and to send riffs all more enjoyable than the others. The eponymous and instrumental track is thus part of the paradigm since it is made up of a succession of patterns and breaks on which are grafted solos by Mark Morton and Willie Adler, guitarists of the band, but also by two distinguished guests: Alex Skolnick from Testament and Chris Poland from Megadeth, confirming, if need be, the place of Lamb Of God among the greats. This gives rise to some pretty incredible duels.

Afterwards, we find the usual characteristics of the band, namely an omnipresent groove created thanks to straightforward dancing rhythms ('Now You've Got Something To Die For' or 'The Faded Line'), a certain complexity in the compositions, both in the exposed themes and on a structural level, and committed and critical lyrics about war and religion.

With this album, Lamb Of God is not content with an exercise in style, but exposes his own, the result of a work of several years. "Ashes Of The Wake" is really the album of maturity, the one that will have defined Lamb Of God as we know it today: technical, violent and subtle... - Official website

LAMB OF GOD

ASHES OF THE WAKE

EPIC

METALCORE