Review by ZeroSymbolic7188 for Lamb of God - Ashes of the Wake (2004)

If there was a band I could review, a single group could rate... Well I wouldn't trade all the others away, but I'd damn sure keep this one!

I have incredibly fond memories of just the first track of this album. it's the introduction to Sam Dunn's "Metal: A Headbangers Journey" a monumental documentary that examines metal as a culture through anthropology. It contains interviews from many icons of heavy metal. All-around good stuff. The track is called "Laid to Rest" and it was also featured in a Guitar Hero video game, I think the 3rd installment but feel free to fact check me. I played the absolute hell out of this thing till I could nail it-good times indeed. It's a damn fine sampler of what the album has in store for you.

I actually, blew an entire car sound system listening to this album on repeat at skull splitting volumes. They were just the factory ones though so now I had an excuse to buy some good shit. Thanks Lamb of God! 

What's the sound? Well, the Patch on my Battle Jacket reads "Pure American Heavy Metal" and I think that's a perfect descriptor. The lyrical content of this album is largely inspired by the Iraqi war, and it deals with the consequences of battle, the toll it takes on soldiers, and the politics behind world conflict. It's very heavy hitting stuff. Randy Blythe aggressively roars these lyrics in a voice I would describe as a mix of Tom Araya at his most passionate (think Mandatory Suicide) combined with the southern tough guy swagger of Phil Anselmo, with a dash of his own unique timbre. He is backed by the dual guitar attack of Willie Adler and Mark Morton while John Campbell holds down the low end on the bass guitar. They play a breed of southern heavy metal that I would describe as Pantera but with a dash of progressive elements-it's nothing like Dream Theater or Queensryche, just enough to give these riffs some unique flavor. On the Drum Throne is Chris Adler. In my opinion one of the absolute best in the business, again think Pantera but with just that subtle hint of prog-just a nizzle. It all combines into a tight package full of music that is catchy, hard hitting, and tremendously heavy. I made a lot of reference to Pantera here, but Lamb of God are not a clone. They are very much their own thing. 

I got to see it all live on Slayer's alleged farewell tour. I believe it was in July at an outdoor venue called Freedom Hill, which is about the most perfect time and place to see Lamb of God. The tour roster included Testament, Behemoth, Anthrax, Lamb of God, and of course Slayer. Lamb of God stole the show. Slayer had an incredible live production, and a legendary catalogue, don't get me wrong-even with the absence of Jeff Hanneman, Gary Holt is a thrash metal vet and did a damn good job in a situation nobody would envy-that's still FUCKIN' SLAYER up there. They kicked ass, but in my opinion, and going from crowd reaction Lamb of God was the best band on stage that night. 

TL;DR: This is a masterpiece of Modern American Heavy Metal, go acquaint yourself. Go See Lamb of God live. 

NOW YOU'VE GOT SOMETHING TO DIE FOR!