Review Summary: Brilliant, extremely tight, and much improved are only a few words I could use to describe Lamb of God's new album Sacrament. It contains brilliant musicianship and extremely good vocals. Anyone who is into Lamb of God or metal in general, should go out a
Lamb of God's Sacrament was one of the most highly anticipated metal albums of 2006, and with good reason. In the past Lamb of God have shown their incredible talent on every album from New American Gospel to Ashes of the Wake, but Sacrament is in a category all it's own...it is brilliant.
The album is incredibely atmospheric from it's start with "Walk With Me in Hell" to it's glorified ending of "Beating on Death's Door." The guitar work done by Mark Marton and Willie Adler is extremely intricate and adds a new element that none of the previous Lamb of God albums possess. Everything from the guitar riffs to Chris Adler's drumming and JC's bass are incredible, and don't be fooled by the vocals on "Redneck", Randy's voice is incredible. There is no argument that it has changed from Ashes of the Wake, but it is by no means falls into the "cookie monster" vocal category. His voice is much deeper and in some case, absolutely frightening. On such tracks as "Again We Rise," Randy sounds possessed, like a general leading his troops in battle, it really is something you need to experience.
In terms of how long Sacrament will run, it is about the same as Ashes of the Wake, again with 11 tracks, but I'm not bitching...45 minutes of kick ass metal is fine with me.
Randy's song writing ability has greatly improved as well:
"Seize the darkened day, there's only Hell to pay
And no one left to see this prodigal return."
Lyrical exerpt from "Blacken the Cursed Sun"
The songs are extremely tight and well rehearsed, and as I previously stated, fullofdark atmosphere. Fans looking for the classic riffs tht LOG are known for won't be upset either...songs like "Pathetic" and "Beating on Death's Door" are songs that are full of classic LOG riffs and will blow your mind.
All in all Sacrament was definitely worth my money, hell I would have paid more if I would have known it was this good. Both newer fans and older fans of LOG will be impressed and blow away by the level of musicianship displayed in Sacrament.
Musicianship:
Randy - Vocals are extremely improved over the past LOG albums. They are extremely clear and low, and the lyrics are brilliant.
Mark and Willie - I really don't know how to describe the guitar work other than by saying it's great. They have finally realized their potential as shredders and bust out some sick solos all throughout Sacrament.
JC - The bass is slightly more audible than it is on the past LOG albums, and JC does not dissapoint. His ability to keep up with Mark and Willie is incredible.
Chris - The drums are arguably the tightest thing on the album. The double bass rolls and fast and precise, and his drum fills are accurate and suite the songs perfectly.
Recommended Tracks:
-Walk With Me in Hell
- Pathetic
- Descending
- Blacken the Cursed Sun
- Beating on Death's Door
BOTTOM LINE: If you haven't bought Sacrament, go buy it. If your not gonna buy it, there's something wrong with you/