Sevendust's lastest CD is released not too long after Animosity was. SLAR! Does it defy and destroy, or is it disappointing? Read on to find out! OOH! SUSPENSE! Of the seasons! Like Those Zelda games I need to finish!
I are RAWRB!
Sevendust used to be called something else before they got all insane and crazy with the name, "Sevendust." I think it was "Head-kill-destroy" or something. Gawkman knows what it was. But I bet YOU DON'T!
Ahh, the 'dust. They've been one of my favorite bands for a LONG time. They're also one of the most underappreciated bands out there. It's a shame really, because they're always stealing the show at all their tours and writing great music. I think I've been to 5 or 6 of their shows, and during each one, I'm floored. Figuratively and literally. Just ask Gawkman and Blondeaux.
However their latest album, Seasons, has not proven that Sevendust has progressed musically since Animosity. It fails to really move in a positive direction since their last 3 CDs. This isn't something that's too suprising, unfortunately. From their first album (the old self-titled one) to this one, each CD has seemingly taken a step back agressively and creatively from it's predecessor.
Yes, and I hate to be the bearer of it. I'm a HUGE Sevedust fan (since they first stared touring in '96), and hearing them regress from their original sound is verily disappointing.
Like I mentioned, their best work was with their first CD. According to the Retrospect DVD, that first CD was (ironically) thrown together. The second CD (Home), is great CD, but was slightly less memorable and RAWR-DESTROY than the first. Animosity came along a few years later and lacked the great Sevendust PUNCH that the first two CDs have.
And finally, we have Seasons. This album fails to really pull me in. The lyrics are seemingly thrown together, with many cliche lines such as, "This pain inside" and "the darkness in my mind." A few other shortcomings pop-out like a blister, such as in the first track when Morgan yells, "Here it comes, here it comes!"
While we're discussing songs, they layout seems to follow the template that Animosity used. The first track is the most aggressive song on the CD, and ends up being my favorite. The next song is their first single (I believe), and jumps into the chorus way too fast.
From there, the songs all seem to gel together a little too smoothly. The entire CD seems like one big song, rather than 12 separate tracks.
Whelp I'll dive down here - the production is fairly well done. It's full and pleasant sounding, but doesn't seem to be much of an improvement over the Animosity. The guitars are extremely weak and soft, lacking any bite and crunch. It's like they put a big pillow in front of their amps when they recorded.
The drum sounds are extremely medium. While you can hear everything, there's a severe lack of real punch and crack in the kickdrum and snare. Coupled with the very weak guitars, it fills the void, but doesn't flow into it.
I hate to bash on my 'dust, but I know they can do so much better than this. These guys are ferocious musicians, loaded with talent and smarts. I really think if they tried to produce an album on their own (rather than having a producer), the result would be a REAL Sevendust CD.
So to conclude, stuff. If you like the dust, you'll enjoy this CD a little. If you like background music, this CD will do the job. However, if you're looking for something that floors you, I would get their first two CDs. Then you will explode with happy.
DESTROY!
Category | Comment | Rating |
---|---|---|
Sound/Production | Guitars are weakey, as is the snare. Rest is good! | 4 |
Presentation | I liked the ARTWARK! | 4.5 |
Originality | Nope... sorry guys. All the other bands are doing this. | 2.5 |
Songwriting | Not bad, but not GREAT! | 3.5 |
Deathy/Heavyness | It's not there this time. :( | 1.5 |
Sevendusty-ness! | Argh! | 3 |
Final Verdict: 3.17 |
:..:bob (Guest) evaporates: