Artist: Lamb of God
Label: Epic Records
Release Date: 8/31/04
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Title: Ashes of the Wake Artist: Lamb of God Label: Epic Records Release Date: 8/31/04 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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Abyss's Review:
Lamb of God was a great name for this band, because they seem blessed. Yes, they've done it again. They've put out yet another great record despite growing popularity, record sales, and expectations. It seems the metal media is always looking for 'the next Metallica' - the band that will bridge the mainstream while remaining connected to the underground (and perhaps even bring the Force into balance), and Lamb of God are probably in the best position to do that.
"One word review: Brilliant!" Ashes of the Wake is an impressive spin, continuing the band's technique of making brutal, menacing rhythms as infectious as a pop song. They've got the whole package . . . a brilliant rhythm section, massive guitars and venomous vocals along with a love for the music and a great work ethic. The guitars are just as at ease when creating intricate, twirling riffs as they are when enjoying a simple pounding rhythm, and they just drive home what metal is all about.
This album is probably a little more mature and a little more polished than their last, but it is no less punishing. Songs like "Now You've Got Something To Die For," "Omerta" and "Break You" are easy to listen to and hard to ignore. The album has groove and swing, but isn't remotely contrived, and despite recent exposure at Ozzfest and on MTV2, the music caters to no one. And while the band will most likely continue to draw their fans from both the metal and hardcore crowds, they will do so because of their integrity, rather than any effort to target a certain demographic.
I struggle with what else to write, because this band keeps me speechless. They're simply one of the best bands in the world right now, and while I should be shocked by how consistent they are, I can't help but feel they still have a lot left in them. No doubt this is top-ten material for the year. One word review: Brilliant!
Death's Review:
Take your fears of a major label sell-out and “lay them to rest.” Don’t listen to the inevitable backlash just because they are popular now. “I’ll chain you to the truth, ‘cause the truth will set you free”: Ashes of the Wake fucking smokes. One of the great thrash metal albums of all time, if you ask me. I mean really, what the fuck more could ask for? Killer songs, killer riffs, intricate guitar work, insanely expressive and aggressive drumming and well-articulated, hate-filled metallic rage coming from the vocals (always uncompromisingly heavy but always delivered with personality and style). Metaheads rejoice – be glad you were here to thrash to the glory of this record from the get-go right when it first came out.
"It fucking rules." Clearly, the move to the big leagues has done nothing negative for Lamb of God, and instead has apparently only ensured us of a great production, great packaging, convenient and mass distribution and lots of media attention for this amazing album that of course more than deserves all the trappings of mainstream success. Every riff on Ashes of the Wake is punishing and fucking sick. Once again, it is clear that Lamb of God truly love metal the way metal was meant to be loved, and those Megadeth influences they trot out are no bullshit. The riffs and the guitar work are more technical on Ashes of the Wake then ever before. In the past, the insane Chris Adler drumming carried the day as almost a lead instrument (especially on New American Gospel). Now, the early Testament level riffing that comes in at places like the 2:20-ish minute mark of tracks like “Hourglass” are just what I was hoping to hear. You heard the Sepultura style punishment on As the Palaces Burn, but the intricacy and the overall heaviness of these riffs are a whole generation further evolved. It fucking rules.
Every song on this album is killer but I definitely have my favorites. The opening track “Laid to Rest” is of course the video (I like that the guy with the red hoodie got his ass kicked) and it sounds way better without the emphatic “fuck” from the key “see who gives a fuck” line repeatedly taken out. Either way, the song gives the Slipknot level sugar rush that makes you want to immediately start breaking everything in sight right now, but backs it up with a deeper overall substance that lets you enjoy the aggression without feeling stupid about it. The whole album is simply amazing. “Now You’ve Got Something to Die For” and “Omerta” are sure to become staples of the Lamb of God live set (I hope). I love the fast-picked riffs in “The Faded Line” a whole lot too. Fuck it – I like them all. The bottom line on Ashes of the Wake is that it is very rare for a band to come out with an album this well-thought out yet this ass-kicking. Years from now you are sure to look back on Ashes of the Wake as a milestone – a true metal classic. This is the album and the time that will be remembered as the peak years for the mighty Lamb of God. So enjoy it my friends – even though I can’t see how a band this good yet this down to earth and this cool could ever stray from the course, it always happens, even to the proverbial “best of ‘em.” So eat this shit up now. This is amazing thrash metal circa 2004, the likes of which we haven’t seen in years. Kick back and enjoy.
Like I said above, what more could I really ask for?
Hel's Review:
Despite their prodigious touring schedule since the release of As the Palaces Burn, Lamb of God has wasted no time at all getting a new record out to the fans. Perhaps they're hoping to snag the number one slot on Metal Judgment's Top Ten list again this year. Or more likely, they're just capitalizing on the extraordinary momentum they are currently enjoying. Either way, the short turn around time in no way affected the quality of the new record.
"Ashes of the Wake is proof positive that you can play uncompromising metal and still sell records in this day and age." Ashes of the Wake is indeed the natural next step in the progression of Lamb of God records. Sure, there will be a few people who will continue to maintain that Burn the Priest was the best album the band ever made, and there certainly may be merit to that argument, but I think we're getting too deeply into dithering over small degrees of greatness when we go off on that tangent. So let's focus on the big picture, which is: every album that this band has released has been outstanding, particularly when measured against the other releases from other bands in the same time period.
The new songs immediately blended into my existing Lamb of God gestalt. I have no doubt that the next time I see the band live (which should be on 11/1 here in L.A.) the new songs will fit into the set list like they have always been there, and their co-headlining slot should allow them time to play all our old favorites as well. Yet another perk of their continuing popularity explosion. Many of us experienced a moment of panic when the news that they had signed to Epic was announced, but musically, there has been no apparent impact. And that is indeed a very good thing.
I am confident that long-time Lamb of God fans will be pleased by what they find on Ashes of the Wake. There are undoubtedly going to be droves of new fans coming out of the woodwork from now on, but it is reassuring to know that the band is maintaining their musical status quo. Ashes of the Wake is proof positive that you can play uncompromising metal and still sell records in this day and age. What a beautiful thing.
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