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34. Resolution - Lamb of God (2012)

Metal

Lamb of God is the best metal band making music today, and they have been for a long time. After taking the groove metal baton from Pantera around the turn of the century, the Virginia-based group have put out absolutely monstrous albums, one after the other, for nearly twenty years. Ashes of the Wake (2004), Sacrament (2006), and Wrath (2009) were all momentous occasions. 2012’s Resolution picks up right where they left off, pushing every limit imaginable with the pedal to the metal.

Randy Blythe has one of the most recognizable voices anywhere. His snarling, guttural, yet always comprehensible vocals are center stage where they belong, as he delivers another well-crafted collection of calls to arm, with the antiestablishment sentiments you come to expect abounding. The blues-inspired fretwork from Mark Morton is impeccable, as is the masterful drumming of Chris Adler. Always careful not to repeat themselves, while staying true to the sound their fans expect, there is a good deal of new ground tilled on Resolution. Dimebag Darrell’s influence is evident on the acoustic intro to “Ghost Walking” and on instrumental track  “Barbarossa”. The penultimate track “King Me” features an operatic opening that gives way to a string-backed chorus. The album does exactly what a new album by a legendary group should do; it breaks new ground, while remaining undeniably true to their roots.

*image; cover art for the album Resolution by Lamb of God