On May 11th, the legends from Atlanta, Georgia known as Sevendust released their 12th studio album entitled “All I See Is War”. Sevendust is like that boxer that sticks around for one more fight ala Chuck Wepner in the sense that they get cut, bloodied, battered, and bruised but they come back for more to deliver some of the most influential music the underground alternative/metal world has ever seen with their infectious grooves and r&b vocals that Lajon Witherspoon possesses.
Fresh off of a Grammy nomination for their smash hit “Thank You”, Sevendust gives their fans what they always deliver on and that is impeccable grooves and hard hitting riffs, case in point with the opening single “Dirty”. The track showcases yet another new beginning for the band in their partnership with Rise Records as it hits hard with the intertwining of the riffs by Clint Lowery and John Connelly along with the infectious rhythm section of Vince Hornsby and Morgan Rose. Sevendust is screaming about seeing war right outside of their front doorstep and they have had enough as you can feel the anger that Morgan is screaming about and Lajon is crooning about in a heartbreaking sort of way. What a way to start off the album!
Another remarkable thing about the band is that they never seem to run out of ideas in terms of their musical structures in the songs. For example, in the track “Moments”, there is that lush ambiance provided by classically influenced piano coupled with Lajon’s crooning, which provides Sevendust a meaningful ballad ala “Angel’s Son” or “Skeleton Song”. There is some speculation on whether or not Sevendust will be taking a more melodic, experimental rock approach based on the second half of the album, which showcases to me that they haven’t run out of ideas or “jumped the shark” in their musical arrangements. In order to understand what I’m talking about, check out their single “Not Original” below.
The first half of the album is fully what the hardcore Sevendust fans will expect, yet with the second half of the album, there are those new ideas that breathes new life into the band, and that is fully appreciated. It is so easy to grow stale after making 12 albums, yet Sevendust reinvents themselves in “All I See Is War”. Madness To Creation rates this album a 7/10 stars for a solid effort and a job well done. Here is the track listing below.
- Dirty
- God Bites His Tongue
- Medicated
- Unforgiven
- Sickness
- Cheers
- Risen
- Moments
- Not Original
- Descend
- Life Deceives You
- The Truth
Fans can check Sevendust out at the following tour stops:
Friday, May 18th- Peoria Riverfront in Peoria, Illinois
Saturday, May 19th- The Forge in Joliet, Illinois
Sunday, May 20th- The Apollo Theatre in Belvidere, Illinois
Tuesday, May 22nd- The Oriental Theater in Denver, Colorado
Wednesday, May 23rd- Black Sheep in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Friday, May 25th- Rocklahoma in Pryor, Oklahoma
Saturday, May 26th- New Daisy Theater in Memphis, Tennessee
Sunday, May 27th- The International in Knoxville, Tennessee
Tuesday, May 29th- Manchester Music Hall in Lexington, Kentucky
Thursday, May 31st- Q Casino in Dubuque, Iowa
Friday, June 1st- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Sioux City, Iowa
Saturday, June 2nd- Rock Fest- Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Missouri
Saturday, July 14th- Rock Fest in Cadott, Wisconsin
For tickets and further information on any of the shows listed above, click here!
*On non-festival dates, special guests include Memphis May Fire, Fire From The Gods, and Madame Mayhem
Fans can find Sevendust at the following locations:
www.facebook.com/sevendustofficial
www.instagram.com/SevendustOfficial