This offering is currently my album of the year, stunningly brutal and shamelessly aggressive. It can be described as old school thrash and I mean that as the highest praise, having taken elements from Slayer’s intensity and Pantera’s technicality it has been dragged, kicking and screaming into 2004. 

I have no doubt whatsoever that Lamb Of God will single-handedly crush Nu-Metal in it’s entirety. Gone are the pseudo scratchings of failed DJ’s in the background, this is full on and in your face. No leanings toward radio friendly hit singles, just heavy, technical, staccato riffs that leave a mark on the very soul of the listener. The beauty of the original thrash genre was the absolute refusal to conform and this just lifts the bar to a higher level. The only bands I’ve heard recently to make a decent attempt at this kind of bludgeoning metal-fest are Arch Enemy and Machine Head and this continues the fight in a similar vein.

“Laid To Rest” is the opening salvo, with a leaning toward Zakk Wylde’s guitar sound, a crushing example of hatred and a stand out track from the album.  Each musician has mastered his chosen craft and sweats blood throughout the piece. As a guitarist listening to this, I am more than impressed. The sheer technicality of the riffing and the tempo changes in conjunction with the awesome rhythm section make this a listening experience. Lead vocalist Randy Blythe must gargle with broken glass and would I’m sure accept a nod of approval from Slipknot’s Corey Taylor. 

Blythe spits fire and hatred on all but one track, “Ashes Of The Wake” the only instrumental and title track. The information I received with the album says that former Testament virtuoso Alex Skolnick and Megadeth’s recently returned Chris Poland also guest on the track, which can only reinforce the utter quality of the overall album. 

I can not impress too strongly how much you need to own this album, at the correct volume it will floor a priest at 50 paces, if the band can deliver this performance live (and I will be finding out soon hopefully) they will join a very select group of bands who musically define aggression. Stunning.

Let us know your views on 'Ashes Of The Wake'

Track List

Laid To Rest
Hourglass
Now You've Got Something to Die For
The Faded Line
Omerta
Blood of the Scribe
One Gun
Break You
What I've Become
Ashes of the Wake
Remorse is for the Dead

Line Up

Randy Blythe - Vocals
Mark Morton - Guitars
Willie Adler - Guitars
John Campbell - Bass
Chris Adler - Crums