If there is one band that took the Pantera blueprint and ran with it, then it’s Lamb Of God. I’m not sure how this happened, but this is the only LOG album I have on vinyl. It was part of this years’ RSD releases, and was released as it celebrates its 21st birthday this year.
This is undoubtedly one of modern metal’s masterpieces. Not only is it crushingly heavy, but it grooves hard and there are riffs a plenty. If you are slightly put off by the growly vocals, then so be it, but you are are missing one hell of a metal album. Side 1 alone is just relentless as each track blends into the next. The double guitar attack of Mark Morton and Willie Adler is just epic, with chugga riff after chugga riff relentlessly pounding away at your brain. Drummer Chris Adler is not of this earth, as the speed at which he plays is insane. Produced by the genius that is Devin Townsend, he has managed to capture the sheer brutality of the band without losing any clarity, even at high volume.
I love all of this record but if I’m pushed for favourites I would go for For Your Malice, and the intensity of Blood Junkie. As I mentioned earlier, this is a classic and deservedly gets 10/10 from The Grooveman.
