Sevendust – All I See Is War Album Review
Rise Records
Alternative Metal 2018
Since their debut album way back in 1997, Sevendust have managed to sell records by the pallet load. Fronted by the instantly recognisable Lejon Witherspoon, Sevendust surfed on the crest of the wave of the nu-metal movement, tweaking and modifying their sound. The band now sit contently at being able to sell out arenas and recently released their 12th studio album, ‘All I See Is War’.
For the dyed in the wool Sevendust fan, ‘All I See Is War’ will tick all the boxes, for all intense and purposes, it has that Sevendust sound, the best parts of the nu-metal flair, bent, broken, forged and infused into a modern Sevendust sound; this can be seen thoroughly during ‘The Truth’, ‘God Bites His Tongue’ and the album’s lead-off single ‘Dirty’. However, it is the addition of esteemed producer Michael Baskette which really gives ‘All I See Is War’ a boost. Baskette hones the songs written by the band, giving it the songs a real mature, polished and modern edge, putting them shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Five Finger Death Punch, Godsmack, Seether and Disturbed. Furthermore, it is the song ‘Not Original’ which really does steal the limelight, the ability to not only compose, but a release a song of this magnitude shows an adult, mature side to Sevendust that laments the band not wanting to repeat themselves and in an ironic twist, ‘Not Original’ shows that the band is capable of a softer side, not only that, but they’re good at it.
Time will tell whether ‘All I See Is War’ will be a later career reinvention, all the pieces are in place and the album certainly has the ability to do this. The album has that big American sound, it will get heavy radio/music television play, stocked in Walmart and will deservedly ride high in the rock and metal charts with Sevendust possibly pulling off the best late career album since Foo Fighters delivered ‘Wasting Light’.
Rating : 80/100
MHF Magazine/Adam McCann
