Shinedown: Threat to Survival review

With 19 top 10 singles and their last two albums Amaryllis & Sound Of Madness both having five in the top 5, the members of Shinedown faced an nearly insurmountable task of trying to achieve that level of success for the third time in a row. If lead single and video for “Cut the Cord,” which has already hit #1 on the rock singles chart is any indicator, their new album for Atlantic Records Threat To Survival, which debuted at #6 on the top 200 chart is set to follow trend. The album starts strong with the absolutely brilliant “Asking for It”- a song the band have been starting their current live set with that lets the listener know they should settle in for another fantastic ride. “State of My Head” is so radio friendly it borders on pop, whereas “Outcast” is a slow moody rocker that boldly proclaims “Don’t you know I broke the mold, Like a hammer to a landmine,” while “It All Adds Up” has a groove somewhere between “The Sound of Madness” and “Bully.” Other highlights include “Dangerous,” “Thick as Thieves” and “How Did You Love,” which feature some of their most infectious choruses since “Second Chance” and “Oblivion,” a song very similar to “Diamond Eyes (Boom-Lay Boom-Lay Boom).” Singer Brent Smith’s soulful vocals really shine on “Black Cadillac” and “Misfits” is a breathtaking ballad that beautifully closes the album as dramatically as it began and may very well be the best song they’ve ever recorded. Here’s the bottom line. While Threat To Survival may not be quite as good as Sound of Madness or Amaryllis, it is still a damn fine rock record and should finally make them the household name they deserve to be. Rating: 8 out of 10 -Eric Hunker