Review Summary: Not a part of "nu-metal" truly. This album is heavy and kind of avant-garde or "post alternative metal". More aggressive and uniique atmosphere overall.
Sevendust's eponymous is the best debut LP, I think. I intended to write this review about exploring this album genre in particular. This album was released back in 1997 around the start of nu-metal movement and unfortunately they were cited as among the "forefathers" of nu-metal which is debatable. This album is not nu-metal in whole. My personal observation after listening this and comparing to the other counterparts' records back then, I found a significant difference. Obviously, you just can't compare them to Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit etc.
From this release, I can deliberately say that this album is sort of "more heavy", strong vocal dynamics, riffs/chuggs are hefty, drumming and bass is solid and sounds to be more supporting the overall chuggs. Most nu-metal acts mainly focus on the riffs supporting the rhythm environment of the song and absolutely no such solo or lead guitar work but here one can listen a great combination of wah/chorus/delay/reverb effects by Lowery, creating a unique sound. Another part of the picture is, the rhythm guitar influenced more of the album's environment but still every song has its own dynamics; you can't feel coherent style riffs but versatile. Lajon's vocal creativity is truly reflected; from rap-kind (FNM influenced) "Terminator", "Bitch" to a more brutal and darker tenor style "Too Close to Hate", "My Ruin" & "Black". "Will It Bleed" and "Born To Die" are heavy outcomes among others.
It is definitely a well-crafted album. I was a "victim" of nu-metal movement back in the school days, years ago. Though, I still like many outfits but I am more of the Agalloch/Celtic Frost/Obituary kind of guy but this record has a classic signature "post nu-metal" sound.
