CD REVIEW: SEVENDUST – Kill The Flaw

Label: 7Bros. Records

Release Date: October 2, 2015

Rating: 9.5/10

Reviewed by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur

Sevendust cranks out disc after disc of great metal that grabs you and rocks you.  The latest from the band, Kill The Flaw, is no different.  Disc opener “Thank You” starts the release on the right foot, with a punishing bottom end, killer guitar work, and awesome vocals from Lajon Witherspoon.  The feel and pace of the track gets the foot tapping and swirls in clean and not-so-clean vocals.  “Death Dance” is a great track that gives us a cool insight to the real talent behind the mic.  Vince Hornsby’s bass and Morgan Rose’s drums cannot be ignored, especially at the bridge, but Witherspoon shines on this song.  “Letters” shows a toned down side of the band, especially guitarists John Connolly and Clint Lowery.  The songs tempo and groove are steady and modern without getting too aggressive.  “Not Today” features a cool chugging riff that builds on the other tracks on this disc and seems to give us a taste of where the band has been and where they are headed.  The heavy bass and vocals add depth to the song.  Title track “Kill The Flaw” opens with killer fret work and vocals that seem to swirl together in the mix, as well as the drumming that anchors the track and keeps the tempo steady.  The vocals at the chorus are some of the best on the disc.  “Peace And Destruction” has a great riff that opens the song that quickly shifts to a chugging metal piece that shows how well different sounds and textures come together on a Sevendust record.

“Forget” brings a pounding bottom end to the party, along with an aggressive vocal that set contrasts some of the mellower vocals from Witherspoon.  The songs strength is in the steady guitar work from open to close.  “Cease And Desist” is not your typical Sevendust track, but nothing on this collection can be pigeonholed into any certain vibe.  The opening vocals are beautiful and demonstrate how well Lajon can sing when given the opportunity, but can dial it up when needed, as shown on the chorus.  “Chop” features solid guitar work from Lowery and Connolly as well as more over the top vocals.  The song has a heavy groove that is accentuated by the power of the lyrics and the emotional delivery of the vocals.  “Silly Beast” is half correct.  This track features beast-like playing from the rhythm section duo of Rose and Hornsby, as well as the guitars.  There is nothing silly about the mood and tempo of this track.  The vocals carry the track through different tempos and grooves.  Closing track “Torched” takes us out with the same aggression the opening track brought us in with.  Witherspoon’s heavy vocals are perfect for the musical accompaniment of the song.  The guitars, bass, and drums all deliver punch at different intervals during the track.  I cannot wait to hear some of these new Sevendust classics live, as some of these were built for the stage.

​​Tracklisting: Thank You – Death Dance – Forget – Letters – Cease And Desist – Not Today – Chop – Kill The Flaw – Silly Beast – Peace And Destruction – Torched

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Category: CD Reviews