Guitar World

God Couple

2020 WAS POISED TO BE A BANNER YEAR FOR LAMB OF GOD. THE REIGNING THRASH METAL KINGS — particularly true now that Slayer are no longer active — had put the finishing touches on their self-titled eighth studio album, the first to feature Art Cruz in place of longtime drummer Chris Adler, and had a rigorous touring schedule, including a still-scheduled mammoth trek alongside Megadeth, Trivium and In Flames. Guitarist Mark Morton had been busy for the past year or so with a pair of solo releases — last year’s Anesthetic full-length and a five-song, mostly acoustic EP titled Ether, released this past January — and tour dates in support of his solo endeavors. Then March came along, and the world came to a screeching halt — and that halt included the postponement of Lamb of God’s UK/European spring tour.

It also led to the postponement of the new album’s release date. Originally slated to drop in early May, Lamb of God is now set for a June 19 release.

“We appreciate your patience during these times,” the band said in an April 20 statement. “A global pandemic is not something people in the music industry usually take into account when scheduling album releases, but as you know, this thing has affected everyone across the board, and we are no exception... Wash your damn hands, let us know what you think of the new tunes, and see you on the road sometime!”

Luckily, the band has already released a handful of tunes from the new disc, and they hint at an album the Richmond, Virginia, five-piece can certainly be proud of. Lamb of God is a 10-song masterwork of infinitely precise and intricate riffage, crushing breakdowns and production work that rivals any of the top albums in recent memory.

The Type O Negative-esque intro that leads into the opening track, “Memento Mori” — which racked up 3.6 million views on YouTube in its first five weeks — is about as subdued as this record gets. After that minute and 40 seconds, the pummeling begins and doesn’t let up until the closer, “On the Hook.” Songs

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Guitar World

Guitar World3 min read
Buzz Bin EarthQuaker Devices Zoar Dynamic Audio Grinder
WHAT THE HELL is a Zoar? One quick Google search reveals it was a Biblical city — and that the name roughly translates to “little” or “insignificant.” Now, I don’t believe the folks at EarthQuaker Devices are biblical scholars; nor do I believe they
Guitar World11 min read
Southern Harmony… … And Musical Companions
THE BLACK CROWES have had a tumultuous history. Numerous musicians have passed through their ranks, and brothers Chris and Rich Robinson’s battles with each other — verbal and physical — are legendary. It’s been 40 years since the earliest incarnatio
Guitar World13 min read
Carlos Cavazo
AS ONE OF the early comers to the buzzing hair metal scene, Carlos Cavazo assumed the role of lead guitarist for a reformed Quiet Riot, setting off a chain reaction of glammed-out excess. Stepping out of the shadow of Randy Rhoads and into the spotli

Related Books & Audiobooks