“During the 10 years we’ve been playing together, this band has never stopped pushing the boundaries of what a metal band is supposed to sound like.”
— drummer Chris Adler
If I were forced to place one band at the forefront of the New American Metal Movement, it would have to be Lamb of God.
With a trio of insane independent releases under its belt along with a blistering major label debut, the band seems to have distilled the very essence of heavy metal, mixed it with thunderous, aggressive vocals (courtesy the ever-impressive Randy Blythe) and continued to push the very boundaries of the genre.
The result? A group of living legends on the metal scene that is already producing classic albums at a breakneck pace and showing no signs of slowing down.
While at first glance I thought it might be hard to pinpoint exactly which Lamb of God album I wanted to put the spotlight on as a new classic, the choice was surprising easy. The group’s debut under the moniker Burn the Priest is a phenomenal debut, but a little too raw and edgy to fit my criteria. “New American Gospel,” the band’s first effort as Lamb of God, is tighter and less “underground,” but is missing the “it” factor. The band’s most recent effort, “Ashes of the Wake,” is technically sound, but is slightly pulled down by the political agenda. It’s no mystery what that leaves behind: “As the Palaces Burn.”
*(Note: I really don’t have a problem with any of the other albums. I just need to find some reason to pull album past another. I don’t really mind the political stance on “Ashes…” but some people might.)
Lamb of God
As the Palaces Burn
Prosthetic Records
Picking up right where “New American Gospel” left off, Lamb of God pushes the limit and blurs the lines between thrash and straight-ahead heavy metal with mind bending guitar licks and head spinning double-bass work. Despite the heavy reliance on the fast-paced tempo, there’s never a doubt this band would ever stray into the realm of thrash. I’m not sure if it’s the gut-busting vocals, or the down-tuned chords reminiscent of Slayer, from the moment I was exposed to this album I could tell Lamb of God was something big … like a new Pantera.
Opening with “Ruin,” the band immediately displays its no-nonsense approach to the music. Nothing special, just straight-ahead metal. It’s songs like the title track, “11th Hour” or “Blood Junkie” that really show off what LoG is about. The band seems to have the total package: blistering guitar work and intricate, yet deceivingly simple, song structures; the way the group’s influences (Megadeth, Pantera, Slayer) seem to shine through in every way but in no way at all — which is to say you can tell those influences exist, but at the same time it’s as if LoG invented metal and you’re hearing it for the first time.
The hits never let up: “Vigil,” “Purified,” “A Devil in God’s Country” … each song is as intense as the one before it … and then, before you’re ready for the metallic bliss to end, it does. “As the Palaces Burn” is one of those few metal releases that is instantly addictive and never gets old upon replay.
In my mind, this album is already a classic. It’s the equivalent of Pantera’s “Vulgar Display of Power.” Pantera exceeded expectations with the follow-up, “Far Beyond Driven,” though “Vulgar…” will always hold the top spot for me.
Lamb of God did the same thing. The group released its classic, “As the Palaces Burn,” and then followed up with the equally impressive “Ashes…” only a year later. If the band were to follow the Pantera mold, the music will just continue to get louder, harder and faster. And that’s what is so exciting: no one knows what’s next, but we all know it will be amazing.
When kicking off a new column dealing with this subject matter, I wanted to start things off the right way. There’s little doubt that Lamb of God is a cornerstone of today’s metal scene. Except for maybe Hatebreed, there really wasn’t any other band that came close to the level I hold Lamb of God to. When I first starting thinking about this new wave of American metal, Lamb of God stuck out as the leaders of the pack. So do yourself a favor and, if you haven’t already, check the band out. No metal fan would be sorry.
And that’s that. Until next time, take it easy. Stay tuned and enjoy the ride …
