Sevendust… I remember that name from the depths of the nu-metal realm. Wonderful. This is surely gonna be a comeback record from they who have sold four millions records already over their career. No mean feat. Either that or it’s gonna be a piss poor attempt at a progression of the scene they were once so a part of. Maybe they’ve gone the way of so many nu-metallers and gone heavy as fuck as part of the NWOAHM.

Maybe. But no. Who needs progression?!? Sevendust always were among the heavier and more uncompromising of their peers. They weren’t really nu-metal at all. I mean, they never had a crappy ‘dj’, neither did *Lajon Witherspoon *‘rap’. This records seems to be more of the same with a brutal, riff-fuelled opening couple of tracks in _‘Hero’ _and the lead single, _‘Ugly’ _– a masterclass in top quality heavy metal, reminiscent of the brutality found in Killswitch Engage, that should be attended by all and sundry.

Indeed, it is Witherspoon who really brings this record to life with his wistful lyrics, forcefully driven through with the abominable melancholy that a beefier Daniel Johns might. There is a flipside, as the band has seemingly written some of the heaviest music thus far in their career – possibly influenced by former Snot guitarist, *Sonny Mayo *– they have also blended in much more melody to the songs as well as the ubiquitous screaming and yelling that scares indie kids off. It does sound a bit like Linkin Park sometimes as well but that’s not such a bad thing. Surely.