Sevendust’s sophomore effort, Home, is a reassuring batch of emotionally charged, Atlanta-style hardcore music. After two years of non-stop touring with the likes of Limp Bizkit, Clutch, Coal Chamber, and with mainstage stints on last year’s Ozzfest and this summer’s Vans Warped Tour, home is probably where the band would like to be. It’s the same formula on their debut cd, which has gone gold since its 1997 release. The first single, “Denial”, is a hook-happy, melodic jumpstart to active rock radio, and it has blown up in most major outlets.
The rest of the disc follows in the same manner, with leadman Lajon Witherspoon crooning and wailing through bruising tracks, highlighted by guest appearances from Skin of Skunk Anansie and the Deftones’ Chino Moreno. The trend is popular, but the two songs those performers appear on are probably of the most powerful on the disc. Skin adds a delicate feminine touch to “Licking Cream”, while Chino brings his always dark soulful cries in on “Bender”, the album’s final track. It all seems to fall together, a perfect fit, regardless of what everyone else is doing in the music world.
The guitar work is still simple, and sometimes monotonous, but superb drumming and vocals make up where the band occasionally is lacking. Home is an excellent second go-round for Sevendust, and will give them a lock on the new-era hard rock scene. Hopefully their musical integrity will keep them on the same track, as it has taken them for a great ride so far.
+ rick hinkson
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