The song, ‘Vigil’ is one of LoG’s most iconic tracks and was featured on the album As The Palaces Burn which was recently released digitally remastered to celebrate it’s 10th anniversary. The remastering has done wonders for this song, and it rocks every bit as much as it did when the album was released. Here’s to some nostalgic headbanging. You can check the video out below:
About the Album:
As the Palaces Burn is the third studio album by American groove metal band Lamb of God, released under Prosthetic Records in 2003. As the Palaces Burn received considerably more airplay than their previous effort, with three singles. The album was produced by Lamb of God and Devin Townsend. The album has sold around 250,000 copies in the United States. The band are releasing a 10th anniversary edition of the album this on November 2013, with remixed and remastered tracks, including bonus demo tracks.
Their second album, “As the Palaces Burn”, is a brutal barrage that pulls no punches and pummels the listener’s ear drums. With its impenetrable wall of sound, killer double bass drumming, fiery guitar work and an occasional guitar solo, this album should be any and every metalhead’s dream.
The band didn’t make this album on a major record label, so there isn’t a big production job. Thus, singer Randy Blythe’s voice and Chris Adler’s drums are more raw than on their next release, “Ashes of the Wake.” It’s up for debate whether that’s a good thing or not, but there’s no denying that Blythe’s yell/growl goes great with the background music.
Due to the production, Blythe’s vocals take a back seat to the guitars and drums. Drummer Chris Adler is at the root of Lamb of God’s attack. He makes the beat a big, relentless wave which gets shoved down the listener’s throat. But he sometimes creates breakdowns that change the beat (to a usually slower and heavier one). Sometimes, when listening to this album, I could have sworn Adler wasn’t beating his drums, but beating the outside of my headphones. Adler’s persistent double bass drumming (which is usually a death metal blast beat or machine gun attack) and Blythe’s Cookie Monster vocals make Lamb of God stand out from other “New Wave of Metal” bands.
“Ruin” is a good representation of Lamb of God: super aggressive, hard hitting and raw. It has a “ba boom boom” beat with pounding drums and Blythe shrieks like he’s being stabbed. There’s a breakdown in the middle of the song (following the guitar solo), making a bobbing beat with bobbing guitars. It ends with another mini solo and a small explosion sound.
“Purified” features guest guitar work by ex-Megadeth axeman Chris Poland. The solo he lays down here is good, but I would have definitely liked it more if it were longer.
“11th Hour” is the lead single and a personal favorite. The whole song is catchy, but I like it when Blythe bellows over just the double bass (no other instruments). Also, this song has GREAT give-and-take between the guitars and drums. After this part, it turns to Pantera-style riffing.
“Boot Scraper” begins with cascading (almost machine gun) riffs and drums, but my favorite part of this song is pounding double bass solo. Adler must have had bricks attached to his feet when he was playing this part.
“A Devil in God’s Country” is almost mind boggling (with rapid, back-and-forth guitar and drum work).
“Blood Junkie” begins with an almost inaudible spoken word, but the vocals gain volume as the song progresses. This track is a highlight because it has (1,2,3,) 4 beat changes and heavy breakdowns. Part of this song has bobbing riffs.
“As the Palaces Burn” is a contagious album, there should be nothing to deter you from checking this album out if you love metal or thrash or the “New Wave of American Heavy Metal” scene. Or, if you are just tired of hearing such bands as Nickelback or other wimpy modern rock bands that control the radio’s airwaves, Lamb of God should be your dream come true.
Track listing:
All songs written and composed by Lamb of God.
| No. | Title | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | “Ruin” | 3:55 | |
| 2. | “As the Palaces Burn” | 2:24 | |
| 3. | “Purified” | 3:11 | |
| 4. | “11th Hour” | 3:44 | |
| 5. | “For Your Malice” | 3:43 | |
| 6. | “Boot Scraper” | 4:34 | |
| 7. | “A Devil in God’s Country” | 3:16 | |
| 8. | “In Defense of Our Good Name” | 4:13 | |
| 9. | “Blood Junkie” | 4:23 | |
| 10. | “Vigil” | 4:42 | |
|
Total length:
|
38:06 | ||
| 10th Anniversary bonus tracks | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Length | ||||||||
| 11. | “Ruin” (demo) | |||||||||
| 12. | “As the Palaces Burn” (demo) | |||||||||
| 13. | “Blood Junkie” (demo) | |||||||||
Personnel:
- Lamb of God
- Randy Blythe – vocals
- Mark Morton – lead and rhythm guitar
- Willie Adler – lead and rhythm guitar
- John Campbell – bass
- Chris Adler – drums, percussion
- Additional musicians
- Chris Poland – lead guitar on “Purified”
- Devin Townsend – guitar on “A Devil in God’s Country”
- Steve Austin appears on “11th Hour”
- Personnel
- Devin Townsend – production, engineering
- Shaun Thingvold – mixing
- Louie Teran – mastering
- Carla Lewis, Dan Kearley, Dennis Solomon, Grant Rutledge, Scott Cooke – assistant engineers
- Petar Sardelich – engineer for Chris Poland
- K3N – artwork
- Adam Wentworth – picture disc artwork redesign
Here is a look at the documentary that comes with the 10th anniversary edition of As The Palaces Burn, featuring interviews with the band, and producer Devin Townsend and other people involved in the process. Pre-order the album here.
Metal Injection are giving away A Pair of Tickets to Each Stop of the LAMB OF GOD, Tour!
UNRULY HEARTS 