Artist: Lamb of God
Label: Prosthetic Records
Release Date: 5/6/03
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Title: As the Palaces Burn Artist: Lamb of God Label: Prosthetic Records Release Date: 5/6/03 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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Go to Reader Reviews | ||
Abyss's Review:
To think back and realize that the first time I saw this band, very few people at the show (at the Wetlands in NYC, I believe) seemed to know or care who these guys were, is just surreal. Shortly after that, their debut, New American Gospel, spread like wildfire throughout the extreme music scene. Soon enough, they were the band that people crowded to see at festivals. And they deserved it, their debut was the perfect combination of metal sensibilities. In fact, metal is the only category I feel comfortable applying to this band. Death, metalcore, thrash; none of them seem to fit. To me they are just plain metal.
"The riffs are mindbending, the vocals remain harsh and soulful and the rhythm section is more pummeling than Riverdance with an obese cast." Fact is their new album will most likely keep the momentum swinging in their direction. They haven't changed their sound all that much, but more of the same is just fine with me. The riffs are mindbending, the vocals remain harsh and soulful and the rhythm section is more pummeling than Riverdance with an obese cast. While the sound we know and love is the rule, there are a few exceptions to it. The songs "11th hour" and "Vigil" both struck me with their ability to stray from formula, showing a side to this band we haven't really seen yet. These songs infuse emotions other than just rage, showing a more mature band. Don't get me wrong, they ain't ballads, they're just a little bit off the beaten path. It's actually quite refreshing.
If there is one criticism I have with this album, it's that it just doesn't have that extra 'something' that completely enthralled me with their first release. The songs stimulate me, but don't overpower me. This may be due to the fact that I had no expectations with their debut, but the fact is that this album just doesn't hit me as hard.
"Fans will not be disappointed, and detractors will just look more foolish." But that doesn't mean it's anything short of awesome. Fans will not be disappointed, and detractors will just look more foolish. Sure, calling these guys the next Pantera isn't that far-fetched, but don't you remember how awesome Pantera sounded when you first heard them? One word review: Amazing.
Death's Review:
Anticipation runs high for this new Lamb of God album; can they match their now classic debut, New American Gospel? Answer: Yes. In fact, in many ways they have surpassed it. Sicker riffs, increased melodic sensibilities, deeper, more complex and dynamic arrangements. In a word, "growth." But the growth is subtle enough not to alienate the old fans. As the Palaces Burn is totally unrelentingly aggressive, a brutal thrash-fest 'til the end. Intense riffing and pummelingly technical, everything is as it should be. The songs are well-constructed, Randy Blythe's vocals emote even further than they did the last time around, and everything about these songs screams to be heard in the live setting. In short, only two albums in, Lamb of God have released their second metallic masterpiece.
"In short, only two albums in, Lamb of God have released their second metallic masterpiece."
My only complaint relates the Devin Townsend/Lamb of God production. When I first heard that Townsend would be involved, I was psyched, thinking of the possibilities of such a collaboration. But Natural Born Chaos this is not. In fact, the impact of the production work here is frustratingly mixed. Creatively, a lot of new elements and "effects" have been brought to the table - nothing that really changes the sound per se but rather it adds a certain more advanced "flavor" that is interesting and brings a subtle yet tangible new element to the Lamb of God sound. I can imagine Townsend helped to bring this perspective to the record, and I am thankful for it. But there also an identifiable "something" missing from the mix. While the drums are not mixed as prominently as they were on New American Gospel, the guitars just don't seem as "present" as they should on an album of this profile.
"Hopefully, this is the album that will solidfy their club-headliner status through heavy touring." Still, it's not that bad, and you can listen past it. And you would be a fool not to anyway. Lamb of God itself is a "shotgun blast in the face of deceit." Hopefully, this is the album that will solidfy their club-headliner status through heavy touring. Maybe if all goes according to plan, Lamb of God could be next year's Shadows Fall with a surprise second-stage of Ozzfest appearance in 2004. Time will tell. Haters will bag on the production. I'll be banging my head to the riffs.
Hel's Review:
I find myself in a strange place with this album. I have been eagerly awaiting a follow-up after New American Gospel knocked my socks into the next room. So the first time I take it out of the case, I crank the speakers up nice and loud. I listen for a few minutes, and I instantly feel like something is wrong. I focus more closely, and then wonder, "Where are the drums?" When I turn the volume down, they emerge. Gee, I think, this was not what I had hoped for. Particularly since I generally think Devin Townsend can do no wrong. Well, I guess no one's perfect, and if you like guitars, then this album will certainly thrill you, as the production has placed them front and center. In truth, it may be that the drums are the only instrument not in perfect balance, as far as the sound is concerned.
"I listen for a few minutes, and I instantly feel like something is wrong."
"It's possible that you may experience some momentary, knee-jerk disappointment, as I did, but don't let that deter you from exploring and discovering the excellent performance delivered on this record." OK, so that's the bad news. The good news is that the songs are just as well written as hoped, and the execution is fantastic. Many of the songs are styled in the same fashion as NAG, but there are a few the veer directly off course, into new and intriguing territory, which I found very rewarding. Songs like "Vigil" exemplify the ambitious course their songwriting has begun to take, and I whole-heartedly approve. I can envision this band taking things to new levels along each step of their career, and I am happy to claim a front seat to the early beginnings of this journey.
If you've liked Lamb of God's previous work, then you will enjoy hearing As the Palaces Burn. It's possible that you may experience some momentary, knee-jerk disappointment, as I did, but don't let that deter you from exploring and discovering the excellent performance delivered on this record. I look forward to seeing the new material live, because I have a feeling that it will truly hit home in that setting. Until then, I'm letting this record continue to grow on me, as it has ever moment since I first placed it into my player. Join me.
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