Lamb of God-Wrath

Last Updated (Monday, 07 June 2010 04:21) Written by Miguel Blardony Tuesday, 18 May 2010 12:07

Release Date: February 24, 2009

Label:  Epic Records

Genre: Thrash/Groove Metal

Rating: 7.8/10

Comments: Love ‘em or hate ‘em, Lamb of God are one of the mightiest metal bands in the world today. This album proves it.

Wishing to inspire the listener’s excitement, a short instrumental titled “The Passing” sets the mood on this furious collection of brand new material from Lamb of God. Once the gentle acoustic guitar notes coupled with a lazy drum beat fades in a buzz of feedback “In Your Words” crunches through your speakers and begins rumbling along to Randy Blythe’s wrathful throatwork. A downpour of grooves arrives next with the punishing “Set To Fail” and its meatier sibling “Contractor” that’s guaran-fucking-teed to kick one’s teeth in.

The best song on this “Wrath” starts off really soft and harmless until the percussion and guitars start to wrestle. This would be “Grace,” an awesome, edge-of-your-seat affair blessed by a guitar solo that erupts amid the usual vitriol these rednecks have been peddling since day one.  It’s unfortunate that a handful of filler comes next, thereby ruining what has so far proven a very consistent album. The retarded grooves and awful catchiness that cursed their last effort—2006’s “Sacrament”—really starts to show Lamb of God’s age. These guy’s seem to be playing with their eyes (and minds) closed for “Idle Hands” and the other less sterling tracks here.

All is not lost however, as a brooding epic marks the end of this energetic, albeit flawed, affair. Album closer “Reclamation” is unlike any other Lamb of God song heard in the last several years. It’s a huge, bludgeoning track that stews for a good while before the monster bows out  in a gaggle of weepy guitars. Still bare bones, still unbowed in its relentless aggression, and still kicking the world’s ass even if its members are pushing past their mid 30’s (bassist John Campbell is probably a granddad—why all that white hair?) “Wrath” is an album that makes sure Lamb of God aren’t casually written off by their audience. Now that’s guaran-fucking-teed, homeboy.