Alternative metal heavyweights Sevendust are back with their 14th(!!) studio album entitled Truth Killer. Lajon Witherspoon, Morgan Rose, Clint Lowery, John Connolly, and Vince Hornsby are all at the top of their games and sound better than ever nearly three decades into their career.
On Truth Killer, the group sounds angrier than they have in a few releases which leads to many heavy moments. Nearly every song has some kind of breakdown or heavy riff in the bridge that the listener can’t help but headbang to. On the flip side, Sevendust is still innovating on their sound. Electronic elements on the opening track “I Might Let the Devil Win” and on the intro of “No Revolution” show that the group still has new ideas in the tank. These elements are used sparingly, but to great effect.
The previously mentioned “I Might Let the Devil Win” is a very different opener for the band, but fits well on the album. It’s an extremely slow building track, but serves as a sort of prologue to the album. The title track “Truth Killer” is a more traditional opener and even gets sort of djenty in spots during the bridge.
“No Revolution” and “Leave Hell Behind” are probably the two best heavy songs on the record. The former offers some driving, heavy riffs, with a fantastic breakdown and bass that cuts through more than most. The latter track has layered guitars, with one lead line and one heavy guitar that lets the song breathe a lot. Rose’s hi-hat/stack pattern in the verses is tasty and unique and adds some spice to the track.
Witherspoon shines throughout the album, letting his signature voice rise and fall all over Truth Killer. His softer timbre has time to shine and his belts and screams comprise the majority of the project. As one of the most recognizable voices in the alternative metal scene over the past three decades, he sounds as strong as ever.
For a band that has been at it consistently for nearly thirty years, Sevendust is one of the few that still sounds as strong and relevant as they did when they began their career. Truth Killer is evidence that the band has plenty left in the tank and can still add to and innovate on their sound. Don’t expect the boys from Atlanta to be going anywhere anytime soon.
Score: 9.5/10
Top Tracks:
“Truth Killer”
“No Revolution”
“Leave Hell Behind”
“Love and Hate”