Lamb Of God’s Mark Morton has shared a new track titled “Cross Off.”
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Lamb Of God are one of the biggest Metal bands in recent years. Controversial, heavy and mesmerizing, they’re one of the most influential Metal bands to have spawned since the likes of Metallica, Pantera and Iron Maiden and have only seemed to progress with each album they release.
This year marks the tenth anniversary of one of their most critically acclaimed albums to date, an album that inspired many artists and influenced some of the greatest Metal albums released over the last ten years. This remixed, remastered version of ‘As The Palaces Burn' is something for the fans to relish in as the tracks sound better than ever and an assortment of bonus content.
The album begins with ‘Ruin’, a track that is fast and heavy. It is a killer opening, filled with chuggy riffs, epic and complex drumming, shredding bass-lines and Randy’s unique vocal abilities. From the outset, you can hear the vast difference between sound quality from this remixed edition to the original version. Everything is heavier, sharper and more crisp. The mix seems a little more tight and things you may not have noticed before hand appear from nowhere.
Every little detail can be heard, providing a richer, more fulfilling album to listen to. Tracks such as ‘11th Hour’, ‘A Devil In God’s Country’, ‘Blood Junkie’ and ‘As The Palaces Burn’ really stand out, with ‘11th Hour’ being one of their most acclaimed and popular songs to date.
Everything works nicely, a smooth flow of heavy and furious Metal. With anger and hatred being spit out by Randy Blythe and with everyone else providing the instrumentals that help complete the album, it is an amazing experience that seeps into your mind. The lyrics are full of hatred that is aimed at the US government, questioning their motives and facing the subject of 9/11 (something daring seeming as the event took place just two years earlier).
People despised the album for it being so daring but it proved to be an essential album that helped influence so many other artists, including Machine Head, with ‘As The Palaces Burn’ helping to inspire their latter album, ‘Through The Ashes Of Empires’, released one year after Lamb Of God’s masterpiece. After the usual tracks from the original album, you get three unreleased demo tracks for ‘Ruin’, ‘As The Palaces Burn’ and ‘Blood Junkie’. These are the perfect companions for a tenth anniversary, showing the progression of these particular songs.
Fans will revel in the bliss of these demos and in the perfection of the entire album itself. Something of a collectors item for all the fans, it serves its purpose and does it well. The mix and the mastering is well handled, making sure every little thing can be heard providing an amazing experience for its listeners. It is something to give back to the fans and proves why this band are one of the biggest Metal bands in recent history. It is damn near remarkable.
With chuggy bass, precision drumming, electrifying riffs and vocals to wake the dead, this is something to behold and revel in its beauty. The original album was, and still is, amazing but this really helps bring it to the forefront, showing everyone just how good it is. It’s understandable why the band are as big as they are now, with this album alone proving their masterclass. Some hail it as their masterpiece, others say it was the first album that truly showed how good Lamb Of God are.
Whatever your opinion, there is no denying that this album is as beautiful as it is heavy, as shocking as it is amazing, as influential as it is controversial. It is inspiring whilst it makes you want to smash everything in sight. Now, what else would you want from a Metal album?
10/10
- Asa
As widely reported, LAMB OF GOD’s concert in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia scheduled for September 28th has been cancelled by the government, who refused to issue a permit for the show even though the concert had been on sale and had sold over 1,500 tickets.
LAMB OF GOD’s guitarist Mark Morton has issued the following statement regarding the decision by the Malaysian government. Shows scheduled in New Zealand, Australia, and Thailand will still be performed by the group:
“It is very evident (and a bit frustrating) that the groups, parties and powers that have taken the most offense to our music and lyrics, have themselves only made a passing glance at the content and meanings of those songs. We would invite anyone offended by our music to engage in a discussion regarding the true motivations behind our work, especially before publicly slandering us based on assumptions and shallow misinterpretation.
We sincerely apologize to our amazing fans in Malaysia for the cancellation. Many thanks to all who have spoken out in support of us through this.”
LAMB OF GOD is looking to honor the brave men and women of our United States military by incorporating soldier’s names and faces into a video presentation during their upcoming U.S. tour. If you are in the military, or have a husband, wife, brother, sister, friend or family member who has served or is actively serving, and wish to be included in this video tribute, please take a moment to send a photo to logvideocontent@gmail.com.
Please keep the photos under 2MB and include the soldier’s name, military branch, and a brief description of where the soldier is serving or has served. The band is asking for photos of soldiers killed in action, those actively serving, and those who have completed their service to our country.
This presentation will be directed by LAMB OF GOD lead guitarist Mark Morton and longtime LAMB OF GOD videographer Doug Spangenberg, and will be seen by tens of thousands of people over the course of LAMB OF GOD’s upcoming U.S. tour. Please send your photos and information in as soon as possible if you would like for you or your loved one to be included in this tribute.
Ticket links for all shows are below:
Date / City, State / Venue / Ticket Buy Link
30-Oct / Phoenix, AZ / Comerica Theater / Buy Phoenix Tickets Here
31-Oct / Los Angeles, CA / Palladium / Buy Los Angeles Tickets Here
1-Nov / Las Vegas, NV / House of Blues / Buy Las Vegas Tickets Here
3-Nov / Lubbock, TX / Lonestar Pavilion / Buy Lubbock Tickets Here
4-Nov / San Antonio, TX / Sunken Garden / Buy San Antonio Tickets Here
5-Nov / Oklahoma City, OK / Diamond Ballroom / Buy Oklahoma City Tickets Here
7-Nov / St. Louis, MO / Pageant / Buy St. Louis Tickets Here
8-Nov / Indianapolis, IN / Egyptian Room / Buy Indianapolis Tickets Here
9-Nov / Milwaukee, WI / Eagles Ballroom / Buy Milwaukee Tickets Here
10-Nov / St. Paul, MN / Myth / Buy St. Paul Tickets Here
12-Nov / Louisville, KY / Expo Five / Buy Louisville Tickets Here
14-Nov / Stroudsburg, PA / Sherman Theater / Buy Stroudsburg Tickets Here
15-Nov / Glens Falls, NY / Glens Falls Civic Center / Buy Glens Falls Tickets Here
16-Nov / New York, NY / Roseland Ballroom / Buy NYC Tickets Here
17-Nov / Silver Spring, MD / Fillmore / Buy Silver Spring Tickets Here
19-Nov / Orlando, FL / House of Blues/ Buy Orlando Tickets Here
20-Nov /Atlanta, GA / Tabernacle / Buy Atlanta Tickets Here
21-Nov / Charlotte, NC / Fillmore / Buy Charlotte Tickets Here
23-Nov / Wallingford, CT / Oakdale Theater / Buy Wallingford Tickets Here
24-Nov / Philadelphia, PA / Electric Factory / Buy Philadelphia Tickets Here
25-Nov / Boston, MA / House of Blues / Buy Boston Tickets Here
26-Nov / Niagara Falls, NY / Rapids Theater / Buy Niagara Falls Tickets Here
27-Nov / Pittsburgh, PA / Stage AE / Buy Pittsburgh Tickets Here
28-Nov / Richmond, VA / The National / Buy Richmond Tickets Here
30-Nov / Chicago, IL / Congress Ballroom / Buy Chicago Tickets Here
1-Dec / Detroit, MI / Fillmore / Buy Detroit Tickets Here
2-Dec / Columbus, OH / LC Pavilion / Buy Columbus Tickets Here (Cannibal Corpse replacing HELLYEAH)
3-Dec / Grand Rapids, MI / Orbit Room / Buy Grand Rapids Tickets Here
4-Dec / Des Moines, IA / Val Air Ballroom / Buy Des Moines Tickets Here
6-Dec / Houston, TX / Bayou Music Center / Buy Houston Tickets Here
7-Dec / Dallas, TX / Palladium Ballroom / Buy Dallas Tickets Here
8-Dec / Kansas City, MO / Uptown Theater / Buy Kansas City Tickets Here
9-Dec / Denver, CO / Fillmore / Buy Denver Tickets Here
11-Dec / Farmington, NM / McGhee Park / Buy Farmington Tickets Here
13-Dec / San Francisco, CA / Warfield / Buy San Francisco Tickets Here
14-Dec / Medford, OR / Medford Armory / Buy Medford Tickets Here
15-Dec / Spokane, WA / Knitting Factory / Buy Spokane Tickets Here
16-Dec / Seattle, WA / Showbox SoDo / Buy Seattle Tickets Here
Greetings. This is D. Randall Blythe, checking in from my beloved hometown of Richmond, VA, United States of America. I was recently released on bail from Pankrác Prison in Prague, Czech Republic, after over a month of incarceration. Now that I am out for the moment, I would like to say a few things.
1. While in prison, I had minimal knowledge of how my case was viewed anywhere but the Czech Republic. I was told by my attorney that I had a lot support from peers in the music industry, my hometown, fans, and of course my family. I cannot express how emotional it made me upon my release to read about even a fraction of the voices that were raised on my behalf. From legends in my music community, to fans across the world, and even people who were previously unaware of my existence but sympathized with my plight- I am truly humbled. I cannot thank you enough for your thoughts and prayers. I would especially like to thank the people of Richmond, VA, for standing by me. In the 48 hours I have been home, many people I have never met before have stopped me on the street, waved and smiled as I passed by, or said hello in a restaurant. All have said “We are glad you are home, Randy”. You all make me proud and grateful that I call Richmond home.
2. I would like state that I suffered no abuse, from either authorities or inmates, during my incarceration in Pankrác. I received no special treatment, and was in general population with everyone else- make no mistake, it was prison, not some celebrity rehab tv show. But I was treated fairly by the guards and kindly by my fellow inmates. People are dying of starvation all over the world. Men and women are losing their lives daily in the Middle East and other war torn regions. I had food, clothes, shelter, and no one was trying to kill me. I cannot complain over a short stay in prison while many people elsewhere fight to survive on a daily basis.
3. If it is deemed necessary for me to do so, I WILL return to Prague to stand trial. While I maintain my innocence 100%, and will do so steadfastly, I will NOT hide in the United States, safe from extradition and possible prosecution. As I write this, the family of a fan of my band suffers through the indescribably tragic loss of their child. They have to deal with constantly varying media reports about the circumstances surrounding his death. I am charged with maliciously causing severe bodily harm to this young man, resulting in his death. While I consider the charge leveled against me ludicrous and without qualification, my opinion makes no difference in this matter. The charge exists, and for the family of this young man, questions remain. The worst possible pain remains. It is fairly common knowledge amongst fans of my band that I once lost a child as well. I, unfortunately, am intimately familiar with what their pain is like. Therefore, I know all too well that in their time of grief, this family needs and deserves some real answers, not a media explosion followed by the accused killer of their son hiding like a coward thousands of miles away while they suffer. I am a man. I was raised to face my problems head on, not run from them like a petulant child. I hope that justice is done, and the family of Daniel N. will receive the closure they undoubtedly need to facilitate healing. I feel VERY STRONGLY that as an adult, it would be both irresponsible and immoral for me not to return to Prague if I am summoned. This is not about bail money. This is about a young man who lost his life. I will act with honor, and I will fight to clear my good name in this matter. Thank you for reading this, and I wish you all peace.
Lamb Of God will kick off a co-headlining North American tour this summer with Dethklok. Gojira will open the bill, with dates set to run as follows:
08/01 Seattle, WA – WaMu Thater
08/02 Vancouver, BC – Queen Elizabeth Theater
08/04 Calgary, AB – Big 4
08/05 Edmonton, AB – Shaw Conference Centre
08/07 Winnipeg, MB – Convention Centre
08/09 Milwaukee, WI – Eagles Ballroom
08/10 Columbus, OH – LC Pavilion
08/11 Toronto, ON – Heavy TO
08/12 Montreal, QC – Heavy MTL
08/14 Grand Rapids, MI – Delta Plex
08/15 St. Louis, MO – Family Arena
08/19 Kansas City, MO – Midland Theater
08/21 Chicago, IL – Congress Ballroom
08/22 Detroit, MI – Compuware Arena
08/23 Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
08/24 Charlotte, NC – Time Warner Cable Uptown Amphitheater
08/25 Norfolk, VA – Constant Convocation Center
08/26 Baltimore, MD – Pier 6 Pavilion
08/29 New York, NY – Roseland Ballroom
08/30 Lowell, MA – Tsongas Arena
08/31 Wallingford, CT – Toyota Presents Oakdale Theater
09/01 Philadelphia, PA – Outside at the Electric Factory
09/02 Asbury Park, NJ – Asbury Park Convention Hall
09/04 Orlando, FL – Hard Rock Live
09/05 Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle
09/07 Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center
09/08 San Antonio, TX – Sunken Garden
09/09 Dallas, TX – Verizon Wireless Theater
09/11 Denver, CO – The Fillmore
09/13 Phoenix, AZ – Comerica Theater
09/14 Los Angeles, CA – Gibson Amphitheater
09/15 San Francisco, CA – Bill Graham Civic