LOG’s eighth album despite the title stating the seventh. This is possibly from having a different line-up on the first album, Burn the Priest. Sturm Und Drang is Storm and Stress, converted from German. Quite fitting given the depth of material, and the depleted funds the band were working with due to their legal case. Josh Wilbur has provided the mix for some of the heaviest releases already of the last two years (Crowbar, Killer be Killed) and you can hear his influence on this album also.
1. Still Echoes – Opening with a jarring, rapid-speed snare strike followed by more insanity level drumming, Lamb of God are back with plenty of new ideas to show on their latest offering. Much like the line from Gattaca, Lamb of God never save anything for the swim back to the safety of the shore, as they maintain this formidable pace through most of Sturm. Still, Echoes was the perfect choice to start and this was their first release. Also my personal favourite.
2. Erase This – Ominous opening notes lead-in before “Erase this” explodes into the blurring thrash metal groove that Lamb of God has made their own. This is evidently the Storm part of the Sturm Und Drang. More phenomenal drumming and guitar work.
At times this borders on prog metal, and thank God I don’t have to play this stuff.
3. 512 – This was the singer’s cell number in his Pankrác Prison. This has a lot of intensity but was a significant change of pace a little too early for my tastes when the album is still setting a cracking pace. There is nothing wrong with 512, but this just belonged on the second half of the record, not the third track. However, given the topic matter concerning the incarceration (which also has a book coming), I can understand the push for it to be sooner rather than later. Also has a video.
4. Embers – The tempo picks up straight away and this is set to a busy verse riff that Randy is charging over with his snarling growl. Notable is the appearance of Chino Moreno (Sevendust) who adds a softer edge to the second half of the piece.
5. Footprints – More impressive high stamina riffing with tons of aggression. Footprints always seem just on the verge of detonation and the one composition where you hear how incredibly tight this unit has become.
6. Overlord – I checked to make sure I was still listening to Lamb of God at this point. A bluesy intro takes us into this surprisingly melodic song which has an Alice in Chains feel, especially in the chorus. They are clearly capable of much more than the speed metal box that many try to put them into.
7. Anthropoid – An immediate launch back into fast rhythm LOG, as if to reassure us after Overlord. I really like where they take this to around 2:40.
8. Engage the Fear Machine – This track has no shortage of bile from Randy as he screams his “it’s business as usual” line.
9. Delusion Pandemic – The onslaught continues and LOG brings you in this beast with zero uncertainty. They make the change to an intense and unusual place.
I remember watching the Sacrament DVD and they were saying when a particular member wrote a song that often it was very difficult to play. This is definitely an example of this, and it certainly had that sort of energy to it.
10. Torches – This song has a very unique vibe, mostly due to running two vocal tracks, one spoken from Puciato (Dillinger), the other part sang/screamed by Randy. A cosy way to wrap this album up. Combinations of simple guitar picking and samples take us to the end of another killer outing.
Lamb of God: Facebook
Release Year: 2015
Label: Nuclear Blast
Category: Album
Country: USA
Reviewed by Matt
