LAMB OF GOD
AS THE PALACES BURN
PROSTHETIC
LINKS:
lamb-of-god
With eight years of relentless touring, ground-breaking experimentation and endless days of grinding away in the studio, it is no surprise that Lamb of God now carry the torch of the new American metal movement. The Richmond, Virginia-based band’s latest album As the Palaces Burn is a reaffirmation of their dominance. Metal enthusiasts will be hard-pressed to find a more kinetic, technically challenging and brutally heavy album than this one.
Vocalist Randy Blythe and Co. storm out of the gate with “Ruin”, a menacing, staccato, guitar riff-heavy dominated song, accented with jagged bass and tight drumming -- Chris Adler’s double drum-pedal work is phenomenal. Blythe proves he can growl with the best of them, adding another layer to an already technically complex song; sounds like a dash of Cradle of Filth mixed with a dollop of Phillip Anselmo. Quite odd for the title track to be listed as the album’s second song, but regardless, it is a scorcher. What makes this song is Lamb of God’s ability to weave seamlessly through different time signatures and tempos and still maintain intensity. The constant shifting back and forth never allows the listener to get bored. Throw in some rapid-fire drum fills and venomous vocal delivery and you have one hell of a song; a cacophonous symphony of chaos.The aural assault continues with “For Your Malice”. For an album that is more melodic than their previous efforts, Lamb of God recorded this song as a no-nonsense, death metal track. The guitars and bass have been tuned down for that familiar ominous, heavy effect and the precision of the drumming is impeccable -- Adler makes the double drum pedal work overtime on this one. This track also shows off Blythe’s growth as a songwriter—personal, slick use of metaphors and imagery, a coherent storyline--the listener gets inside his head. Listening to the second half of As the Palaces Burn, one might think the first five tracks were just a prelude to the songs that really showcase Lamb of God’s talent. The complexity of the drum work has been kicked up a few notches. Guitarists Will Adler and Mark Morton boldly journey beyond their genre’s boundaries. And Blythe injects more melody into his vocals, yet sounds every bit as vicious as on the album’s first half. There is also more blending of genres. Tracks 6 through10 are aggressive death metal, but obvious hints of power groove, thrash and punk add color and texture. The last song, “Vigil”, is by far the album’s best. The melodious guitar intro creeps into a slow Pantera-esque, power-groove which, by the song’s mid-way point, bullets into full-fledged sonic fury. Blythe sounds a bit like Anselmo, but never has Anselmo sounded this psychotic. The drumming is a little bland, but it is still hard-charging. Overall, the album ends the same way it started, with vicious serrated guitars and bass, unrelenting drums, and eardrum-bursting, venomous vocals. You cannot help but respect a band such as Lamb of God. Their tireless work ethic and courage to explore has paid off immensely. As The Palaces Burn is a message to all that they now sit atop the heavy metal mountain and do not plan on being removed any time soon.

----Eric V. White