Lamb of God - Resolution 2012

My first impression was that a fourteen track album just can't keep my interest sustained throughout, yet I was pleasantly surprised by the creativeness of Resolution. It does more than entertain; it is truly a modern musical journey. In my biased opinion, this album is leaps and bounds better than Wrath.

A very brutal attempt, and faster than anything they've done since New American Gospel, Resolution stays true to Speed/Death. Unfortunately, it is not sustained on the epicness scale of Ashes of the Wake

Straight for the sun

Unconventional intro to one of the most popular (speed) metal bands of all time. Yet, it fits – I'm rather tired of most soppy guitar intros; rather scream and explode.

Desolation

Very fast paced song with screeching vocals. Altogether some very fast-paced riffage.  The whole song feels like a time bomb going off. The over-used bell-crashing works wonderfully. This song serves as an indication of the heaviness of the rest of the album.

Ghost Walking

Definitely the 'single' of the album. Raw (loose-string sounding) guitar intro to the song, which gives an awesome effect. The second verse is simply A-class, making the flow of the riffs very subtle. The bridge is only two sentences long, before breaking into one of the best guitar-solos on the album.

Guilty

The song bursts with power, with some intense riffage and a radical usage of vocals. This song made me doubt the quality of diction on the album (with my biased reference of All Shall Perish This is where it ends, being an example of deathcore with good diction). Without reading the lyrics or listening to this song at least ten times, it is really hard to discern what Randy is saying.

The Undertow

Pounding drums, with Chris abominating every riff with some speed drumming, yet the degree of technicality is undeniable. Around 02:00 there is a verse that sounds like demon-horses galloping to hell, flowing into long crusty notes with stretched vocals. Then at 02:50 the bass in the song explodes, an enigmatic atypical feature nestled within a typical milieu.  

The Number Six

Because of some metal-core type chorus (without the lame fucking vocals), this song really sticks. The bass on this song is fucking amazing. The use of some obscure creative harmonies gives a different edge to the screaming vocals. All things considered, a very unconventional LOG song.

Barbaraosa

Putting a minute and a half instrumental in the middle of the record is a risky thing to do, considering it has the potential of slowing the pace. Yet, it is more just a breather, a nice rest for the ears before the second half of this beast takes over.

Invictus

Really dig the fading-in guitar intro. Another song with insane bass playing. I'm not the biggest fan of short slides on the guitar.

Cheated

Easily my favourite song on the record. Very interesting vocal intro. Good rocking riffs over "have you ever get the feeling you've been cheated". The song actually feels short because it ends with: "have you ever get the feeling you've– " . What an amazing technique.

Insurrection

The slow-paced intro is illusive, by using a weird vocal technique that really slows down the song. The bell-crashing is prominent before the chorus.

Terminally unique

Thunderous vocals in the intro gives a good, pounding effect. The steady drum-rolls at 02:22 can already be envisioned in circle-pit form.

To the end

This song has a cool rocking intro, flowing into a slow verse, with the guitar keeping a steady pace. This allows room for a nice step (very high note) which complements the vocals, and sounds really like a rock riff. This, as with a couple of other songs, has insane vocal techniques, giving a really deep sound. Love the clean guitar at 02:55 (the drums kicking in during the second lick makes the song explode).

Visitation

The vocals remind me a bit of New American Gospel.

Style: 5/5

Vocals: 4/5

Innovation: 3/5

Production: 4/5