Shinedown are one of the better new rock bands to come out of the “Nickelback” era, and definitely the most consistent in terms of quality of tunes. Formed by vocalist Brent Smith, they have gone from strength to strength. Planet Zero is the band’s latest offering, released in 2022.
Opening up with the melodic thrash of No Sleep Tonight, the listener is immediately brought to attention with this pedal to the metal rocker. Definitely my favourite song. The heavy melodic tones of the title track are up next with an almost military groove and as usual, Smith cooks up a killer hook and chorus with guitarist Zach Myers bringing the crunch. After a weird robotic intro, Dysfunctionaly You is next up. Smith’s vocals are the main focus here, with what is essentially a ballad but is so much more. The heavy returns with the HUGE sounding riff at the intro to Dead Don’t Die. An absolutely massive vibe with that slow pounding groove. Killer tune!
The robotic electronic weirdness is back as a prelude to America Burning, a statement to today’s US. I would call this a trademark Shinedown tune, it’s a style they do so well. Another interlude runs into A Symptom Of Being Human and we finally get to power ballad country. Hope starts as a mirror image to the previous tune but builds and builds with the melody and harmony taking full control, it would be a perfect single. Clueless And Dramatic brings a return to the melodic heaviness. It’s a big, down tuned riff and groove with the usual massive hook and chorus. Sure Is Fun does what it says on the tin. There is an effect on the vocals that sounds odd, but then again so does the rest of the track. Alight wraps up this side and basically it’s just Brent’s incredible voice and a piano for a huge chunk of the piece.
The final side begins with more AI before The Saints Of Violence And Innuendo rips in with fuzzed up guitar, then that heavy groove just grabs you. Army Of The Underappreciated is up next and it’s a modern punk rock groove and feel. The last interlude is followed by the final track What You Wanted, and it’s as close to a modern pop masterpiece you will hear.
Sound Of Madness is still the album I love most from them, but this is a good album.
8.5/10 from The Grooveman.
