Closing in on 30 years into their career, you couldn’t blame Sevendust if they took their foot off the gas at this stage. They have indicated as much that they are looking to tour less intensely as they have been, as the bands have families and are thinking of their futures. The band has slogged it out for decades on countless tours, metal festivals worldwide, and at times, more intimate unplugged gigs as well. While there are surely not a lot of new mountains to climb, it’s refreshing to see that the band is still hungry, and challenging themselves to create quality new songs on their 14th album Truth Killer. Following a successful run at Rise Records, the band has found a new home in Napalm Records, home to many of their peers and touring partners. The vibe at Napalm fits better than Rise did, as they head into this next phase of their career.
Starting the album off with the surprisingly chill “I Might Let The Devil Win” – it takes a page out of a recent album by Slipknot with a lead track not unlike “Adderall.” It’s a bold choice and a welcome one with delicate vocals, heady lyrics, and some neat programming. Every band tries to open their album with a can of whoop ass, but what about a mature ballad with a Trip-Hop beat and a swell of rocking rage at the very end? Inspired. The band makes “Sevendust” music for themselves and their fans are usually happy to come along for the ride. One person that never fails to surprise me is vocalist Lajon Witherspoon. His performance on this new track and the rest of the album deserves high praise for his delivery. The title track is next up, and is your requisite rager, complete with a great mosh part and some stupendous drumming from Morgan Rose. Rose is still an elite guy behind the kit.
In a throwback to the earliest releases from the band, the meat of the album features grinding and grooving metal jams full of screams, deceptive off-time riffs, sweet vocal harmonies, and even a few killer guitar solos. “Everything” is the best of these songs. The band has always been modest about doling out guitar solos sparingly album to album, in spite of the talents of Clint Lowery and John Connelly, but there are definitely more than a few sweet lead breaks here.
Not unlike the years of setlists the band has played live, the ebb and flow of the track sequence is excellent. It definitely takes you on a musical journey and songs like “Won’t Stop The Bleeding,” “No Revolution,” and “Sick Mouth” are all fantastic songs that resonate hard on repeat listens. The production of their “6th member” Michael “Elvis” Baskette is also some of his best work.
Sevendust always dials into their soulful core, no matter who is doing the lead vocals. Songs like “Leave Hell Behind” and “Messenger” have especially touching moments from LJ and Clint. We also get some great screams on here from Rose, which is basically a core component of their sound from the very beginning of the band.
The final two tracks serve more up the diesel grooves from earlier on in “Love and Hate” and “Fence.” Even at their heaviest, they still have the huge sing-along choruses that stick with you long after the volume has faded out. “Fence” also has a creative and funny claymation music video, arguably 2023’s best.
Sevendust continues to impress quality release after quality release, and Truth Killer is just the latest in a long line of bangers for your collection.
Buy the album here:
8 / 10
KEEFY