Lamb of God has announced a new brief live run for this summer.
The tour, which spans eight dates, is scheduled to launch Aug. 10 in Montclair, NJ and to run through Sept. 11 in Pikeville, KY. The tour, which is being produced by Live Nation, also includes stops in cities, such as Riverside, CA; Oklahoma City, OK and Corpus Christi, TX.
Ticket pre-sales are open. General ticket and VIP package sales open at 10 a.m. local time Friday through Live Nation.
The tour’s schedule is noted below. Ice Nine Kills, Suicide Silence, The Black Dahlia Murder, The Acacia Strain, and Frozen Soul will serve as special guests on select dates.
LAMB OF GOD 2023 TOUR DATES:
Thu Aug 10 – Montclair, NJ – The Wellmont %
Mon Aug 14 – St. Louis, MO – The Factory %
Fri Aug 18 – Corpus Christi, TX – Concrete Street Amphitheater @%
Mon Aug 21 – Oklahoma City, OK – Criterion %$
Fri Aug 25 – Las Vegas, NV – Pearl Concert Theater at Palms Casino Resort %#
Sun Aug 27 – Riverside, CA – Riverside Municipal Auditorium %#
Wed Aug 30 – Flagstaff, AZ – Pepsi Ampitheater @% *
Ozzy Osbourne shared some sad news with audiences Wednesday in a prepared statement, saying he has had to cancel the upcoming leg of his “No More Tours 2” tour across Europe and the UK, and all future tour plans.
The upcoming tour, which was in support of Ozzy’s latest album, Patient Number 9, was scheduled to launch May 3 in Helsinki, Finland and to run through June 14 in Birmingham, UK. The album was released last year. Judas Priest was set to join Ozzy for the upcoming tour and Ozzy thanked the band as he talked about the cancellation of the tour and any upcoming live plans.
“I want to thank my family……my band…….my crew……my longtime friends, Judas Priest, and of course, my fans for their endless dedication, loyalty, and support, and for giving me the life that I never ever dreamed I would have,” Ozzy said.
The 74-year-old singer said the decision to cancel the upcoming tour was due to the lingering effects of a spinal injury he sustained four years ago, and that his voice is still working, so he hoped he could at least figure out a way to hold some live performances, if not full blown tours.
“Never would I have imagined that my touring days would have ended this way,” Ozzy said. “My team is currently coming up with ideas for where I will be able to perform without having to travel from city to city and country to country.”
Osbourne’s full statement is noted below. Refunds for ticket purchases are available at all points of purchase.
“This is probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to share with my loyal fans. As you may all know, four years ago, this month, I had a major accident, where I damaged my spine.
My one and only purpose during this time has been to get back on stage. My singing voice is fine. However, after three operations, stem cell treatments, endless physical therapy sessions, and most recently groundbreaking Cybernics (HAL) Treatment, my body is still physically weak.
I am honestly humbled by the way you’ve all patiently held onto your tickets for all this time, but in all good conscience, I have now come to the realization that I’m not physically capable of doing my upcoming European/UK tour dates, as I know I couldn’t deal with the travel required. Believe me when I say that the thought of disappointing my fans really FUCKS ME UP, more than you will ever know.
Never would I have imagined that my touring days would have ended this way. My team is currently coming up with ideas for where I will be able to perform without having to travel from city to city and country to country.
I want to thank my family……my band…….my crew……my longtime friends, Judas Priest, and of course, my fans for their endless dedication, loyalty, and support, and for giving me the life that I never ever dreamed I would have.
I love you all…”
More information on Ozzy Osbourne’s future is available along with all of his latest news at:
Veteran metal outfit Lamb of God released its latest album, Omens Friday through Epic Records. The 10-song record is the band’s ninth studio recording and the band’s sixth album through Epic Records. It is among the most musically powerful of the band’s catalog, musically speaking, from beginning to end. This part of the record’s body will be discussed shortly. The record’s lyrical content is mostly accessible, and in turn makes for its own interest, too. It will be examined a little later. The record’s production rounds out its most important elements and will also be examined later. Each item noted is important in its own way to the whole of the album. All things considered they make the album yet another welcome addition to what is already a crowded field of new hard rock and metal albums this year.
Omens, Lamb of God’s brand-new album, is a powerful new offering from the veteran metal outfit. The record, which clocks in at just 40 minutes, proves itself so powerful in part through its musical arrangements. The record’s musical arrangements stand out because overall, they are a culmination of everything that the band has composed over the course of its nearly 30-year life. The groove metal which has made the band such a well-known and respected act is just as present as ever throughout the album. Audiences get a healthy dose of that sound and style right from the record’s outset in ‘Nevermore.’ Front man Randy Blythe’s low, half-groaning spoken word approach in the verses once again compliments the heavy guitars to make the song so engaging while the screams and equally screaming guitars add even more to the choruses. The band switches things up somewhat later in the album’s run in its title track. In place of the high-energy groove metal that makes up so much of the album, this song actually offers audiences a little more thrash approach. The band blends that with its groove metal leanings to make the song really stand on its own merits. ‘Gomorrah,’ which immediately follows, adds even more to the interest as it changes things even more. This song bears a sound and style that actually is slightly similar to that of works from Hatebreed while also having a pure metal approach. It really stands as one of the record’s most interesting musical presentations. As the album progresses, it goes even further in a thrash direction in its penultimate entry, ‘Denial Mechanism.’ The screams and wails from the guitar line in the bridge lend themselves to comparison to works from the likes of Testament while the overall approach throughout is just as comparable to works from that band, as well as to works from the likes of Hatebreed and so many others. ‘September Song,’ which closes the album, changes things up even more with its brooding, bass-driven opening bars. From there, the band launches into its more familiar heavy, lurching groove metal sound while still ensuring the song maintains its own identity separate from the works that make up so much of the band’s catalog. Even with that in mind, it sounds, overall, like it would fit perfectly in the band’s 2003 album, As The Palaces Burn. Between this song and all of the others here, what audiences get, musically, is a little something familiar and something less familiar. The whole is a musical presentation that will appeal to a wide range of audiences.
The musical content featured in Omens is just part of what makes it an appealing presentation. The lyrical content that accompanies that musical content makes for its own appeal. From beginning to end, the album’s lyrical offers audiences more familiar, accessible sociopolitical commentaries and ruminations on personal struggles. These are themes that the band has approached in different ways over the course of its life, but they hit just as hard here as ever. ‘Denial Mechanism’ is one of those songs that delivers some of that commentary. Blythe addresses the ongoing decline of civilization (so to speak) as he screams, “A pathetic birth of the end of times/Slowly creeping to the final deadline/No fairytale on a movie screen/Just slow collapse beneath our gluttony/Take warning/as the bloated masses gather/Take warning/As their childish screams of anger/Suck this broken system dry/Until there’s nothing left/Take warning.” He is warning people to take notice of all of the negative things happening and to see what is coming if things do not change. He continues in the song’s second verse, “An idiotic Doomsday/Mass annihilation/At the hand of our possessions/Plastic in your bloodstream/Plastic in your brain/The human race is f*****/Behind our thirst for everything.” Here in that last line is what seems like a commentary about mankind’s materialism and its role in everything that is happening negatively in the world. He concludes by telling the generation that will inherit the Earth, “I’ll be dead and gone/Long before the blade drops/It’s up to you my children/To decide if this all stops.” In other words, Blythe is reminding audiences that the fate of the planet is up to the current generation, because he will be long gone before the possible negative end happens. This is, again, a familiar-type message from the band and is certain to resonate with plenty of audiences.
‘Ditch,’ which comes much earlier in the album’s run, takes on people’s roles in their own lives in a very powerful fashion. The song opens with Blythe screaming, “I don’t’ give a God **** about your demands/Jus spit your trash and take a bow/I’ve heard it all before/The deviants and miscreants/break their vows/You can all keep crawling/I’m digging out/You’re face down/Down in a ditch that you dug yourself.” This is Blythe telling the world that people are responsible for themselves and their own actions and their results. Especially now in this world, it is a message that needs to be presented time and again. Blythe continues, “You can live and die by the hand you’re dealt/Unwound consequence/And you can never tell/Live or die by the hand you’re dealt.” This further illustrates that message. As if that is not enough, he further adds in the song’s next verse, “You demand a life you haven’t earned/Entitled, soft, and soon to learn/There’s no shoulders here for crying/You command an ego gone unchecked/Unbridled needs for cheap respect/But your dreams were built for dying.” He is talking about (or seeming to be talking about) the current generation and in general, people who have the mentality that they deserve the most for the least. The current generation certainly seems to have that mindset of thinking it deserves a life unearned. There are others out there who have that same mindset, so it makes the song all the harder hitting. To that end, this song is more proof of the importance of the album’s lyrical content. It is just one more of the songs that serves that end, too. ‘To The Grave,’ which immediately precedes ‘Ditch’ is yet another key example of the importance of the album’s lyrical themes.
‘To The Grave’ comes across as a song that seems to focus on the all too familiar topic of mental health. This is inferred as Blythe screams right from the song’s outset, “I’ve walked the halls of madness/I’ve heard the jailer’s laugh/I’ve yet to sing the funeral dirge/The only option left/Risen from an inferno of hopelessness and shame/Walked the tightrope out of it/Then shouldered all the blame.” The mention of “the jailer” is a metaphor. It is a representation of a controlling force. It is that force that keeps a person locked within one’s self. It is a good personification of this power. He continues, “Make no mistake/I know it’s always there/The scent of doom riding neglect/It’s hanging in the air.” Again, this further describes that feeling that so many people deal with in fighting depression. The theme becomes even clearer as Blythe adds, “The only thing to fear remains unseen/Never disappears/Stand guard eternally/The only thing I fear lives on inside of me/Whispers in my ear/To the grave eternally.” That is about as clear as one can get in delivering such a message. It is something that will resonate just as much with audiences as the other themes addressed so far. So simply put, his song comes across as being from the vantage point of someone battling that mental health battle. It is an increasingly common theme in rock and metal, and is certain to connect with audiences just as much as the other themes addressed here and throughout the album. When all of the record’s lyrical themes are considered together, the whole makes the album’s overall lyrical presentation just as engaging as the album’s musical presentation.
As much as Omens content does to make the album worth hearing, it is just one part of what makes the album worth hearing. The record’s production rounds out its most important elements. That is because it ensures that the record’s instrumentations and vocals are expertly balanced throughout its run. From one song to the next, the immense wall of sound generated through the instrumentation ensures each musician gets his own moment to shine while also not overpowering the vocals at the same time. The result is that the combination of the instrumentation and vocals creates a wholly positive general effect. That positive general effect brings everything full circle and completes the album’s presentation. Keeping that in mind, the whole of Omens becomes one more positive addition to this year’s already crowded field of new hard rock and metal albums.
Omens, the latest album from Lamb of God, is a strong new offering from the veteran metal outfit. The record’s appeal comes in part through its musical content. The record’s arrangements give audiences a welcome blend of something familiar and something different. It brings elements of the band’s existing catalog with influences from other established metal acts for a whole whose musical presentation is fully engaging and entertaining. The record’s lyrical themes are just as engaging, as they touch on topics that will connect with just as many audiences as the album’s musical arrangements. The album’s production puts the final touch to its presentation, ensuring an overall positive general effect. Each item examined is important in its own way to the whole of Omens. All things considered they make Omens a work that will appeal equally to Lamb of God’s fans and to metal fans in general.
Omens is available through Epic Records. More information on Omens is available online now at:
Ozzy Osbourne will release his latest album this fall, and in anticipation has debuted the album’s lead single and its companion video.
Osbourne is scheduled to release his new album, Patient Number 9 Sept. 9 through Epic Records. In anticipation of the record’s release, he debuted the album’s lead single/title track and its companion video Friday.
The album’s track listing is noted below.
PATIENT NUMBER 9 track listing:
1. Patient Number 9 (feat. Jeff Beck)
2. Immortal (feat. Mike McCready)
3. Parasite (feat. Zakk Wylde)
4. Mr. Darkness (feat. Zakk Wylde)
5. One of Those Days (feat. Eric Clapton)
6. A Thousand Shades (feat. Jeff Beck)
7. No Escape From Now (feat. Tony Iommi)
8. Nothing Feels Right (feat. Zakk Wylde)
9. Evil Shuffle (feat. Zakk Wylde)
10. Degradation Rules (feat. Tony Iommi)
11. Dead and Gone
12. God Only Knows
13. Darkside Blues
The musical arrangement featured in ‘Patient Number 9’ is an interesting composition. The majority of its body is a melodic, radio ready rock song. However, the song’s bridge presents a distinct blues-infused sound and style, which makes for an interesting contrast to that main body. The whole is an engaging and entertaining composition.
When asked recently about the song’s lyrical theme during an interview, Ozzy simply said the song is about a mental institution.
The video for Osbourne’s new single was directed by famed animator Todd McFarlane, who has drawn for the likes of Marvel and Image Comics. The animated portions of the song feature decidedly psychedelic elements, which clearly play into the overall theme of a mental institution. The live segments at times feature Ozzy singing his new single in what is meant to look like an institution.
More information on Ozzy Osbourne’s new album, single, and video is available along with all of his latest news at:
Lamb of God is marking the 15th anniversary of the release of its 2006 album Sacrament this week with the re-issue of the album Friday. The slightly expanded package is an intriguing presentation, especially considering the accolades that the original album garnered for itself and the band. The original album debuted at #8 and sold 65,000 copies in its first week and eventually went on to be certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. Additionally, the album’s single, ‘Redneck’ earned the band its first ever Grammy nomination, in this case in the category of “Best Metal Performance.” Considering all of those positives and items compared between the original album and re-issue, this latest presentation of Sacrament really sadly does not fully live up to the legacy of the original album.
Lamb of God’s new 15th anniversary edition of its 2006 album Sacrament is sadly a presentation that simply does not live up to the legacy created by the album upon its original release. One of the reasons that it comes up short is the “Making of” documentary that comes with the presentation. For those who might be unaware, the almost 90-minute documentary (one hour, 25 minutes speaking more specifically) was also featured in the “Walk With Me in Hell” DVD in the deluxe expanded edition of the album in the record’s original release. The documentary is engaging and entertaining. There is no denying that. It highlights the album really as a turning point in the band’s career. The humility and dedication that the band showed throughout it all is truly inspiring. However, that the original deluxe edition of Sacrament is still available today through many major retailers leaves on scratching one’s head as to the inclusion here. Yes, it is positive in that audiences received the documentary again as part of the album’s release, but at the same time, again, the reality is that it is not really anything new. To that end, the documentary’s presentation here is not necessarily an overwhelmingly major reason to purchase this re-issue regardless of whether they already own the album from its original release.
Another concern from this new re-issue of Sacrament is the “bonus” live content that is featured as part of the record. The re-issue features three songs that were originally recorded Feb. 14, 2020 at Lamb of God’s performance at House of Vans in Chicago, IL. The performance was the band’s only live, in-person performance of 2020. The thing is that the set featured a total of 13 songs. The performance clearly deserves the title, “career-spanning,” as its set list pulled from all but two of the band’s eight total albums. The only albums not represented in the performance are the band’s 2000 debut, New American Gospel and its 2015 album, VII: Sturm Und Drang. Keeping that in mind, that this re-issue features only three of that show’s songs is really a disservice to audiences. This is proven even more in that early this year, the band featured its full 2020 livestream in its re-issue of its latest album, Lamb of God (2020). It makes curious why the band did not just go the same route here with the Feb. 14, 2020 show instead of just teasing audiences with three live songs. Had that full House of Vans show been featured as a bonus DVD/BD, then that really would have been a saving grace. Sadly though, that just was not to be here.
Rounding out the most concerning aspects of this new re-issue is the fact that its release is solely digital for now. That means that audiences who may actually want this re-issue will have to find it online. This is a disservice to audiences and the band alike. That is because despite the continued push to make all things digital, there are still those audiences who have common sense and realize the importance of all things physical. Yes, a vinyl release is planned for the early portion of 2022, but for now, audiences who might actually want this re-issue even with all of its concerns, will have to purchase it online instead of in person. Keeping this in mind along with the other concerns addressed here, the 15th anniversary edition of Sacrament really proves to be anything but a tribute to this key addition to Lamb of God’s catalog or to the band’s legacy.
Lamb of God’s new 15th anniversary re-issue of Sacrament is a surprisingly disappointing update on the album that was already iconic upon its original release. It really is a disservice to the band’s legacy and that of the album. That is proven in part through the album’s “Making of” documentary. The documentary in question was already featured in the deluxe edition of the album upon its original release. That original release is still widely available today among most major retailers. The “bonus” live tracks are really not bonuses at all. They are only a tiny fraction of the Feb. 14, 2020 show that the band played at House of Vans in Chicago, IL. Considering that the band already released its entire first livestream of 2020 in its recent re-issue of its 2020 self-titled album, this becomes even more problematic. That this re-issue is currently available exclusively as a digital download only serves to see the band shoot itself in the foot even more. Each item examined is critical in its own way to the whole of the re-issue’s presentation. All things considered, they make this re-issue a largely forgettable offering from one of the leaders of the current age of metal. The re-issue is available now.
More information on Lamb of God’s Sacrament re-issue, upcoming live dates, and news and more is available online now at:
Lamb of God is taking audiences behind the scenes of the video for its single, ‘Redneck.’
The single is featured in the band’s 2006 album, Sacrament, which is scheduled for re-issue digitally Friday through Epic Records. The album’s re-issue is meant to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the album’s release. The behind the scenes video for the ‘Redneck’ video is streaming here.
The re-issue will feature three previously unreleased live tracks along with the original album’s presentation. The songs were recorded at the band’s 2020 performance at the House of Vans Chicago, which was the band’s only live show from 2020. The re-issue’s full track listing is noted below.
Sacrament (15th Anniversary) track listing:
1. Walk with Me in Hell
2. Again We Rise
3. Redneck
4. Pathetic
5. Foot to the Throat
6. Descending
7. Blacken the Cursed Sun
8. Forgotten (Lost Angels)
9. Requiem
10. More Time to Kill
11. Beating on Death’s Door
12. Walk with Me in Hell (Live from House of Vans Chicago)*
13. Redneck (Live from House of Vans Chicago)*
14. Descending (Live from House of Vans Chicago)*
*Previously unavailable on DSPs
In related news, Lamb of God will premiere its documentary, Walk With Me in Hell alongside the album’s re-issue. The presentation is a documentary that follows the band as it made Sacrament. A trailer for the documentary is streaming here.
Courtesy: Death By Toys
In other news, Lamb of God has partnered with Death By Toys to release an action figure of front man Randy Blythe. The figure presents Blythe as he appeared in the ‘Redneck’ video complete with shaved head and accompanying party favors. The action figure is a nod to the Sacrament cover art. Loudwire is holding a contest that will award one lucky fan their own free Randy Blythe action figure.
Death By Toys Owner Dan Polydoris was upbeat as he talked about making the action figure.
“This was a really fun project for me, and working with the band was such a privilege,” he said. “The black/purple design of the album cover is so iconic and has such a distinct feel that I definitely wanted to use it for the cardback. The birthday party from the music video is so ridiculous and over-the-top, and I wanted to capture a little of that in this toy (without getting in the way of the Randy figure). So I included a bunch of birthday party stuff as tiny accessories for him. Plus, the Happy Birthday sign is actually made from a screenshot of the music video.”
In even more news,
Lamb of God is scheduled to tour with Megadeth, Hatebreed, and Trivium. The bands’ tour schedule is noted below.
Megadeth and Lamb of God 2021 North American Tour Dates:
Fri Aug 20 Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater
Sat Aug 21 Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Sun Aug 22 Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
Tue Aug 24 El Paso, TX – Don Haskins Center
Wed Aug 25 Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
Fri Aug 27 Denver, CO – Ball Arena
Sun Aug 29 Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Federal Theatre
Tue Aug 31 Reno, NV – Reno Events Center
Wed Sep 01 Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheatre
Thu Sep 02 Concord, CA – Concord Pavilion***
Sat Sep 04 Portland, OR – Moda Center
Sun Sep 05 Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheatre***
Thu Sep 09 Tinley Park, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – Chicago***
Sat Sep 11 Danville, VA – Blue Ridge Festival*
Sun Sep 12 Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
Mon Sep 13 Boston, MA – Leader Bank Pavilion
Wed Sep 15 Camden, NJ – B&T Pavilion***
Thu Sep 16 Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center***
Sat Sep 18 Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center***
Sun Sep 19 Clarkston, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre***
Mon Sep 20 Cincinnati, ON – PNC Pavilion
Wed Sep 22 Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP***
Fri Sep 24 Mount Pleasant, MI – Soaring Eagle Casino Amphitheatre
Sat Sep 25 Indianola, IA – Knotfest Iowa**
Sun Sep 26 St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – St. Louis***
Tue Sep 28 Minneapolis, MN – Armory
Thu Sep 30 Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
Fri Oct 01 Laval, QC – Place Bell
Sat Oct 02 Quebec City, QC – Centre Videotron
*Festival Date featuring all 4 bands.
**Festival Date, Knotfest Iowa does not include Hatebreed
More information on Lamb of God’s Sacrament re-issue, upcoming live dates, and news and more is available online now at:
Lamb of God’s 2006 album Sacrament will see the light of day again next week.
The band is scheduled to re-issue the album digitally Aug. 20. The band made the announcement through a press release distributed Thursday. The document adds that a vinyl pressing will come in 2022, with an exact release date under consideration. According to the press release, the re-issue is meant to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Sacrament‘s original release.
The re-issue will feature three previously unreleased live tracks along with the original album’s presentation. The songs were recorded at the band’s 2020 performance at the House of Vans Chicago, which was the band’s only live show from 2020. The re-issue’s full track listing is noted below.
Sacrament (15th Anniversary) track listing:
1. Walk with Me in Hell
2. Again We Rise
3. Redneck
4. Pathetic
5. Foot to the Throat
6. Descending
7. Blacken the Cursed Sun
8. Forgotten (Lost Angels)
9. Requiem
10. More Time to Kill
11. Beating on Death’s Door
12. Walk with Me in Hell (Live from House of Vans Chicago)*
13. Redneck (Live from House of Vans Chicago)*
14. Descending (Live from House of Vans Chicago)*
*Previously unavailable on DSPs
In related news, Lamb of God will premiere its documentary, Walk With Me in Hell alongside the album’s re-issue. The presentation is a documentary that follows the band as it made Sacrament. A trailer for the documentary is streaming here.
Sacrament debuted at #8 upon its original release Aug. 22, 2006. It sold approximately 65,000 copies in its first week. The album’s single, ‘Redneck‘ earned the band a Grammy nomination in the “Best Metal Performance” category. It was the band’s first-ever Grammy nomination. Additionally, the album was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in September 2019.
In other news, Lamb of God is scheduled to tour with Megadeth, Hatebreed, and Trivium. The bands’ tour schedule is noted below.
Megadeth and Lamb of God 2021 North American Tour Dates:
Fri Aug 20 Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater
Sat Aug 21 Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Sun Aug 22 Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
Tue Aug 24 El Paso, TX – Don Haskins Center
Wed Aug 25 Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater
Fri Aug 27 Denver, CO – Ball Arena
Sun Aug 29 Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Federal Theatre
Tue Aug 31 Reno, NV – Reno Events Center
Wed Sep 01 Irvine, CA – FivePoint Amphitheatre
Thu Sep 02 Concord, CA – Concord Pavilion***
Sat Sep 04 Portland, OR – Moda Center
Sun Sep 05 Auburn, WA – White River Amphitheatre***
Thu Sep 09 Tinley Park, IL – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – Chicago***
Sat Sep 11 Danville, VA – Blue Ridge Festival*
Sun Sep 12 Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
Mon Sep 13 Boston, MA – Leader Bank Pavilion
Wed Sep 15 Camden, NJ – B&T Pavilion***
Thu Sep 16 Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center***
Sat Sep 18 Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center***
Sun Sep 19 Clarkston, MI – DTE Energy Music Theatre***
Mon Sep 20 Cincinnati, ON – PNC Pavilion
Wed Sep 22 Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP***
Fri Sep 24 Mount Pleasant, MI – Soaring Eagle Casino Amphitheatre
Sat Sep 25 Indianola, IA – Knotfest Iowa**
Sun Sep 26 St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre – St. Louis***
Tue Sep 28 Minneapolis, MN – Armory
Thu Sep 30 Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
Fri Oct 01 Laval, QC – Place Bell
Sat Oct 02 Quebec City, QC – Centre Videotron
*Festival Date featuring all 4 bands.
**Festival Date, Knotfest Iowa does not include Hatebreed
More information on Lamb of God’s Sacrament re-issue, upcoming live dates, and news and more is available online now at:
Lamb of God debuted the live clip for its song, ‘Resurrection Man‘ this week.
The band debuted the clip Wednesday. It is taken from the DVD featured with the new Deluxe edition of the band’s self-titled album. That album was released in 2020 while the new Deluxe Edition was released March 26.
Guitarist Mark Morton talked about the band’s new clip during a recent interview.
“‘Resurrection Man’ has been a fun song to watch the fan reaction to and a fun one to play live for the first time,” said Morton. “We wrote the music for that song quickly and spontaneously in pretty much an afternoon in our jam room. [Guitarist] Willie [Adler] freestyled the opening riff and we built from there. Sometimes it’s cool to just let stuff flow without overthinking things to death. I feel like ‘Resurrection Man’ is a great example of that.”
Lamb of God’s ‘Resurrection Man’ clip is just the latest visual presentation to come from Lamb of God Deluxe Edition. The band most recently unveiled the lyric video for its song, ‘Hyperthermic/Accelerate.’ The song is one of two bonus tracks featured in the album’s expanded presentation. The album’s other bonus track is ‘Ghost Shaped People.’
The complete track listing for Lamb Of God Deluxe Edition is:
Disc 1
Lamb Of God Original Album + 2 Bonus Tracks
1. Memento Mori
2. Checkmate
3. Gears
4. Reality Bath
5. New Colossal Hate
6. Resurrection Man
7. Poison Dream feat. Jamey Jasta
8. Routes feat. Chuck Billy
9. Bloodshot Eyes
10. On The Hook
11. Ghost Shaped People
12. Hyperthermic/Accelerate
Disc 2
Lamb Of God – Live From Richmond, VA
1. Memento Mori (Live)
2. Checkmate (Live)
3. Gears (Live)
4. Reality Bath (Live)
5. New Colossal Hate (Live)
6. Resurrection Man (Live)
7. Poison Dream (Live)
8. Routes (Live)
9. Bloodshot Eyes (Live)
10. On The Hook (Live)
11. Contractor (Live)
12. Ruin (Live)
13. The Death of Us (Live)
14. 512
Disc 3
Lamb Of God – Live From Richmond, VA DVD
1. Memento Mori
2. Checkmate
3. Gears
4. Reality Bath
5. New Colossal Hate
6. Resurrection Man
7. Poison Dream1.
8. Routes
9. Bloodshot Eyes
10. On The Hook
11. Contractor
12. Ruin
13. The Death of Us
14. 512
Digital copies will contain only Disc 1 and Disc 2.
Lamb Of God – Live From Richmond, VA vinyl track listing:
Side 1
1. Memento Mori
2. Checkmate
3. Gears
4. Reality Bath
5. New Colossal Hate
Side 2
1. Resurrection Man
2. Poison Dream
3. Routes
4. Bloodshot Eyes
5. On The Hook
In related news, Lamb of God’s tour with Megadeth is scheduled to launch in July following delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Trivium and In Flames are scheduled to provide support throughout the tour. The UK leg of Lamb of God’s tour with Kreator will tentatively follow in November and December. Tickets for each tour are available here.
More information on Lamb of God’s new singles, album, upcoming live dates, news and more is available online now at:
Lamb of God’s latest album is getting new life. The band re-issued its self-titled 2020 album Friday with a rather rich amount of extra content, the most notable of which being the bonus recording of its first livestream of 2020, which it recorded last year from its hometown of Richmond, VA. While the bonus livestream recording is itself a positive for this re-issue, the limitation in its availability proves problematic to the overall presentation. Luckily though, it is not enough to make the re-issue in whole a failure, even with the concerns that it raises. Keeping that in mind, the re-issue does have one more positive in the form of the two bonus songs featured in the main disc. They add a little more to the appeal in the recording’s presentation. When they are considered along with the full bonus livestream recording, that whole makes this re-issue a mostly successful presentation.
Lamb of God’s newly released re-issue of its self-titled 2020 album is a presentation that the band’s audiences will find interesting. That is due in large part to the bonus recording of its first livestream concert from 2020. The recording in question features a full performance of that latest of the band’s studio recordings and a handful of encores. The encores in question – ‘Contractor,’ ‘Wrath,’ ‘Death of Us,’ and ‘512’ – reach back into the band’s catalog. Represented through these songs are the band’s 2009 album, Wrath, its 2003 album, As The Palaces Burn (which is itself still considered a key album in the band’s evolution), and its 2015 album VII: Sturm Und Drang. ‘Death of Us’ is featured in the soundtrack to the 2020 movie Bill & Ted Face The Music, so that in itself is a special bonus for Lamb of God fans who otherwise might have opted to avoid that otherwise forgettable flick. When it is joined with the other encores – and even the rest of the performance – the performance in whole gives audiences plenty to appreciate. In short, they get the band’s latest album in its studio and live setting in one package along with some encores that pull from some of the band’s older, more recent, and new releases. That in itself forms a solid foundation for the recording’s bonus content. While the concert itself will appeal to audiences, the big problem with the recording is the limitation in its presentation.
The bonus concert featured with Lamb of God’s Deluxe Edition re-issue is featured in the re-issue’s physical and digital platforms. However, the full audio-visual presentation is available exclusively along with the audio-only presentation in the re-issue’s physical platform. Meanwhile, the album’s digital release offers the livestream recording only in audio format. There is nothing wrong at all with doing everything possible to promote the physical object against the digital. At the same time though, there just are those audiences who refuse to see the light about the importance of the physical object. Those people are very likely going to feel that by limiting the availability of the recording’s presentation across platforms, it might actually discourage them from buying the re-issue on either platform. Concerts are meant to be enjoyed fully, after all, not just heard. So by presenting the full concert experience for one group of audiences but not the other is going to leave some audiences unhappy. It is a disservice that Epic Records and Lamb of God are doing not only to the audiences, but also to themselves. Luckily, it is not enough to make the recording (including the original album with its two bonus tracks) a failure. The two bonus songs that accompany the album’s main disc work with the bonus livestream recording to add to the recording’s appeal.
The two bonus songs featured in Lamb of God’s main album are ‘Ghost Shaped People’ and ‘Hyperthermic/Accelerate.’ The song’s musical arrangement is a blistering, guitar-driven track that will appeal to longtime Lamb of God fans. The heavy, up-tempo rocker is a fiery work whose energy and overall sound will keep listeners engaged and entertained. According to information about the song, its lyrical theme is meant to discuss the topic of someone entering the afterlife. That in itself breaks somewhat from the band’s trend of tackling hot button socio-political concerns through the rest of the album and its existing albums.
‘Hyperthermic/Accelerate’ is another familiar work in terms of its musical arrangement. The guitar arrangement pairs with the vocals and drums to take listeners back to the days of As The Palaces Burn. The fire in the song’s musical arrangement pairs well with the song’s lyrical content, which seems to deliver a commentary about mankind bringing hisown downfall. That is of course just this critic’s own interpretation. As nihilistic as the seeming message is, it hits hard and is certain to resonate with listeners, especially when it is paired, again, with the song’s powerful musical arrangement. When this song and ‘Ghost Shaped People’ are considered along with the bonus performance of ‘Death Of Us’ in the bonus livestream recording and the whole of that recording, those elements collectively make Lamb of God’s new re-issue of its latest album a mostly successful presentation.
Lamb of God’s new re-issue of its self-titled 2020 album is a presentation that audiences will find for the most part, a positive new offering from the veteran metal band. That is due in large part to the bonus recording of the band’s first 2020 livestream featured with the re-issue. The recording offers plenty to appreciate, presenting audiences with the band’s latest album at least semi-live in its entirety. It is accompanied by some of the band’s older material and one new song that until now was only available on the soundtrack to Bill & Ted Face the Music. So that old and new, along with the noted bonus track gives audiences much to enjoy. As much as the content does to make the livestream recording appealing, the limitation in its availability no doubt detracts from that appeal to a point. However, it is not enough to make this re-issue a failure. The two bonus songs included with the main album add their own appeal to the presentation. Regardless of whether they were songs that ended up on the cutting room floor from the Lamb of God sessions, they are still their own positive addition thanks to their musical and lyrical content. When they are considered with the overall content featured in the livestream recording, the two items collectively still give the re-issue a presentation that is at least somewhat of an improvement on the original album. Lamb of God Deluxe Edition is available now.
More information on Lamb of God’s new album, its new album, single, news and more is available online now at:
Lamb of God kicked off the weekend by debuting a new music video.
The band debuted the video for its single ‘Ghost Shaped People‘ Friday. The song is featured in the forthcoming re-issue of the band’s 2020 self-titled album, which is scheduled for release March 26 through Epic Records.
The video for LOG’s new single is a full black and white presentation. It features a large screen set atop a large mound that is set against what looks like a post-apocalyptic setting. According to information provided about the video, the additional imagery used in the video is meant to tell the story of a man’s journey into the afterlife.
‘Ghost Shaped People’ is available to stream through a variety of outlets. The song’s musical arrangement is a blistering, guitar-driven track that will appeal to longtime Lamb of God fans while its companion lyrical content comes across as a statement about human nature. Front man Randy Blythe even asks in the song’s chorus, “How far are you willing to go/What is the cost of victory.”
The expanded packaging for LOG’s self-titled re-issue will feature the band’s original album along with two additional discs, one of which will feature the full audio of the band’s first livestream of 2020. That performance featured Lamb of God performing its latest album in whole along with four encores, ‘Ruin,’ ‘Contractor,’ ‘512’ and its brand new song ‘The Death of Us.’ The song in question was crafted for the soundtrack to the movie Bill & Ted Face the Music.
The second bonus disc featured in the forthcoming re-issue is a DVD that contains the full audio-visual presentation of the band’s noted livestream concert. It should be noted that the DVD will only be available with the re-issue’s physical releases and not digital. A trailer for the DVD and overall re-issue is streaming here.
‘Ghost Shaped People’ is just one of the bonus tracks featured in the new re-issue of Lamb of God. Along with that song, the re-issue also features the bonus track ‘Hyperthermic/Accelerate.’
Pre-orders for Lamb of God’s forthcoming re-issue are open. The record’s track listing for each of its platforms is noted below.
The complete track listing for Lamb Of God Deluxe Edition is:
Disc 1
Lamb Of God Original Album + 2 Bonus Tracks
1. Memento Mori
2. Checkmate
3. Gears
4. Reality Bath
5. New Colossal Hate
6. Resurrection Man
7. Poison Dream feat. Jamey Jasta
8. Routes feat. Chuck Billy
9. Bloodshot Eyes
10. On The Hook
11. Ghost Shaped People
12. Hyperthermic/Accelerate
Disc 2
Lamb Of God – Live From Richmond, VA
1. Memento Mori (Live)
2. Checkmate (Live)
3. Gears (Live)
4. Reality Bath (Live)
5. New Colossal Hate (Live)
6. Resurrection Man (Live)
7. Poison Dream (Live)
8. Routes (Live)
9. Bloodshot Eyes (Live)
10. On The Hook (Live)
11. Contractor (Live)
12. Ruin (Live)
13. The Death of Us (Live)
14. 512
Disc 3
Lamb Of God – Live From Richmond, VA DVD
1. Memento Mori
2. Checkmate
3. Gears
4. Reality Bath
5. New Colossal Hate
6. Resurrection Man
7. Poison Dream1.
8. Routes
9. Bloodshot Eyes
10. On The Hook
11. Contractor
12. Ruin
13. The Death of Us
14. 512
Digital copies will contain only Disc 1 and Disc 2.
Lamb Of God – Live From Richmond, VA vinyl track listing:
Side 1
1. Memento Mori
2. Checkmate
3. Gears
4. Reality Bath
5. New Colossal Hate
Side 2
1. Resurrection Man
2. Poison Dream
3. Routes
4. Bloodshot Eyes
5. On The Hook
In related news, Lamb of God’s tour with Megadeth is scheduled to launch in July following delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Trivium and In Flames are scheduled to provide support throughout the tour. The UK leg of Lamb of God’s tour with Kreator will tentatively follow in November and December. Tickets for each tour are available here.
More information on Lamb of God’s new singles, album, upcoming live dates, news and more is available online now at:
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