Sevendust - Cold Day Memory
Rating
RIYL
MudvayneBullet For My Valentine
Chevelle
Nonpoint
Release Date
04/20/2010
Label
Warner Bros.Tracklist
1. Splinter2. Forever
3. Unraveling
4. Last Breath
5. Karma
6. Ride Insane
7. Confessions
8. Nowhere
9. Here And Now
10. The End Is Coming
11. Better Place
12. Strong Arm Broken
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Eight studio albums into their career, Sevendust are showing no signs of slowing down. Almost like clockwork, every two years or so you can expect a new Sevendust album to grace shelves, but this hasn’t always worked to the band’s advantage. After their fourth album, Seasons, the band’s downward decline in quality set in pretty fast. Some would say they were already on the decline at that time, but there was a definite change in quality between the band’s first four albums and subsequent three albums released before Cold Day Memory. The period of time during which Sevendust were at their creative low was also the time that guitarist/vocalist Clint Lowery was not a part of the band. He has now returned and, as you might expect, the band shows a nice uptick in quality from what they created on Next, Alpha, and Chapter VII.
Cold Day Memory is, in effect, a natural progression for the band from their work on Seasons. In fact, the best way to view this album would be to imagine that Sevendust went on a hiatus from 2004 to 2009, with the albums that were released during that time being put out by a different band altogether. Sevendust is now back to melding catchy hard rock with a radio friendly sheen together with stomping, aggressive nu-metal rock. The band’s first single, “Unraveling,” is a perfect addition to the band’s already wide repertoire of radio hits. It avoids being cliché and delving into butt-rock contrivances (like so many bands looking for radio appeal are known to do), yet it is a song you wouldn’t mind singing along with or listening to when other people might be in your presence, unlike most guilty pleasure radio hits.
Even though this album feels a lot closer to the band’s early career material than their recent works, don’t expect a return of some of the pummeling riffs and outright aggression found on portions of Home or their self-titled debut. That ship has sailed, but that’s not to say there aren’t some heavy moments to be found on here. “Karma” has Lajon Witherspoon using some screams, sparingly, alongside some thundering guitar lines. The majority of the song, as is the case with most of the more aggressive songs on this album, still has a significant amount of melody and an accessible nature.
This accessibility should not be equated to selling out or simply “going soft”. The band has always had that mass appeal sound going for them, but as opposed to the time while Lowery was out of the band, the accessible nature of the songs feels natural and fluid. There are a number of songs on this album that are infectious and will stand out upon an initial listening. During their last three albums, however, you’d be hard pressed to find a single song that would stick with you or stand out even after multiple listens. Everything felt slightly less interesting. Now, however, you have tracks like “Confessions (Without Faith)”, “Unraveling”, and “Last Breath” that are true standouts. Witherspoon has always had great vocals and can belt out a sing-a-long chorus with the best of them, but the last few albums lacked the quality hooks and supporting instrumentation to make his vocals really pop and grab you.
Sevendust, with Cold Day Memory, have shown us that it’s not always possible to replace a band member and continue on at the same level of quality. While Lowery was missing, Sevendust were a below average imitation of themselves. With him back, they’re now operating at full strength and are showing it. This is the Sevendust album we’ve all been pining for over the last six years.
--Rick Gebhardt
Comments
Atascadero, CA
Hmmm.. I've been a big Sevendust fan in the past. I think in 2002 I went to San Diego Street Scene just to see them live for the first time. I loved how into it the bassist was live, had the most energy in the band. Pretty sure he isn't in the band anymore but thought they were cool.. I always somehow manage to grab all their albums so I'm glad to see this isn't absolute trash.
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If I'm not mistaken all original members are with the band right now.
Haven't listened to this record enough times to make up my mind but it is better than the last couple of records, that's for sure.
Atascadero, CA
you might be right, for some reason im remembering maybe he left but then he came back maybe? i think i commented this on one of the old reviews.
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Dallas, Texas
Good review Rickles. Only thing I disagree with is Next. I think that was a one of their better albums. I could be wrong. After all, it did follow Seasons, which was nearly unlistenable for me.
Anyhow, while still not as great as the old days, this one greatly improves over Chapter and Alpha.
Minneapolis, MN
Sevendust still holds the crown for the most emotional show I've ever been to. On that day, Lajon Witherspoon lost his brother and still managed to hold it together enough to put on a show.
Rick was there. It wasn't like they were playing for a sold out show of thousands. There were maybe 200 people in a shitty little bar in central Minnesota. The band could've easily just said they weren't going on that night.
You could tell the only thing on Lajon's mind was his brother. Every heartfelt lyric brought a pain to his face and the kids were giving him a little extra that night. I'll probably never have an experience like that again and for that, Sevendust will always have my respect.
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Minnesota
Yeah, that was a very unique show. I'll always remember it too. I also remember at that show the band before Sevendust was 30 Seconds to Mars before they got huge. Half the crowd was there for Jared Leto and the other half for Sevendust.
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Green Brook, NJ
i haven't enjoyed a sevendust album since 'seasons' .. i guess i'll give this one a shot though.
Green Brook, NJ
wow, ok. aside from the first track which i didn't really like, the rest of this was awesome. i think the second half is a little better .. particularly "confessions (without faith)" and "here & now". good stuff.
Dubuque
Even if they put out a bad record, Lajon's vocals are still one of the best in the rock category.
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Minnesota
Agreed. He's got the perfect voice for the genre.
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