Sevendust

Sevendust has been churning out full-bore metal albums since 1997, under the indie label TVT. What we have on this disc is a nice collection of highlights from the 6 albums they’ve released since their self-titled debut. Do you want to hear it? You should ask yourself one question, “Do I like metal that’s heavy as it comes?” Well, do ya?

This album would be best received by someone who needs a good introduction to Sevendust without filtering through all their albums. To be honest with you, I find that there are quite a few filler tracks throughout their discography, throw-away joints that you probably won’t listen to more than once or twice. But they also have a knack for dropping some of the wickedest-sounding riffs you’ve ever heard, so if you like metal, you should definitely give Sevendust a whirl.

The nice thing about their sound is that they have some nice musical melodies, unlike some really heavy bands that just scream and hammer their instruments (God bless them, but some people like just a sliver of musicianship in their listening). So Sevendust is not like Slipknot, but fortunately they’ve avoided playing droopy, watered-down rock at the same time. It’s a nice middle ground between Nickelback’s stagnated, sugary pop-rock and unlistenable scream-core.

You want a great fuckin’ track? Check out “Enemy.” I heard this song for the first time during the warm-up for a Leaf game I was at, and went home wondering who the heck it was by. I spent weeks searching the internet for any clue that might tell me what it was I heard, and I even went as far as calling the Air Canada Centre to try to talk to the guy who worked the sound system. I didn’t get any answers from him, but then one day, out of the blue, I found it! I couldn’t believe it, but somehow while randomly listening to different new-ish metal bands, I stumbled across it and I fondly refer to it as one of my personal faves to this day. I get so ramped up every time I listen to it.

Other than that, “Denial” is one of my picks. The opening salvo of guitar and bass riffing is worth going back and repeating once or twice if you’re really feeling it, and I have definitely done so myself.

The thing is, this release isn’t just for new recruits to Sevendust’s fanbase. Included are 4 bonus tracks which were originally found on B-sides released in the UK and the US, as well as a very marginal cover of Marvin Gaye’s “Inner City Blues.” I just can’t stomach this kind of remake considering how classic the original is. I think they lost the feel of the song altogether, but you may see it differently.

“Bender” is a good track too, and sounds very Deftones influenced to me. But the tension created by the bassline and the brief little riffs at the song’s beginning are really catchy. This track is probably my 3rd favourite on the album.

Anyway, if you’re a metal fan who’s weary from trudging through the saturated landscape of thrashing awesomeness, let Atlanta’s Sevendust provide you with a little southern hospitality. If you’re already a seasoned fan of the band, get a slice of pecan pie and check out the bonus tracks they give you here. Hopefully anyone who gives this album a rotation will see that Sevendust is one of the brightest and most unique acts cranking out badass riffs today.  [ END ]

Track Listing:

01. Black
02. Bitch
03. Too Close To Hate
04. Denial
05. Waffle (Tom Lord-Alge Mix)
06. Assdro
07. Bender (feat. Chino of the Deftones)
08. Angel’s Son
09. Praise
10. Follow (feat. Aaron Lewis of Staind)
11. Enemy
12. Face to Face
13. Coward
14. Rain
15. Inner City Blues
16. School’s Out

Run Time: 1:00:00