Album Review: Sevendust Truth Killer

(Photo Credit: Chuck Brueckmann)

For over a quarter of a century the Grammy Award nominated group Sevendust has developed a well-earned reputation for creating powerful music and delivering ferocious performances. With thirteen albums under their collective belt, and the scores of hit singles that they’ve all spawned, the band hit the studio to create their fourteenth full length album, Truth Killer. This being their first album on Napalm Records, It brings their trademark hard hitting sound, while also expanding on their sonic palette. You don’t get this far into a career without knowing how to deftly walk a fine line between staying true to what got you here, while broadening sound so things don’t grow stale, and Sevendust has done this quite well.

Instead of going the same route as their recent releases such as Blood & Stone, All I see Is War, and Kill The Flaw and leading off with an aggressive potential single, they start things off with “I Might Let The Devil Win”. This is a dark, brooding track that is all Lajon Witherspoon. Yes the band is on the song, but his singing is what makes this song. He showcases every inch of his vocal range. From barely a whisper to a hypnotic soulful sound to his well known hard hitting power, he delivers the goods.

Up next is the title track “Truth Killer”. This song is more in line with what fans have come to hear from the band, yet it doesn’t travel the same road. You get that hard hitting Sevendust sound, the vocal interplay between guitarist Clint Lowery and Lajon Witherspoon, and the drumming of Morgan Rose. Yet they have also included some synth to their sound which brings some freshness to things. This could easily be yet another single from the album. “Everything” follows this song , and it is one of the singles that has been released. This is another hard hitting track that plays to strength of the band and contains all the elements that their fans love, yet it is also one of the most radio friendliest tracks.  There are hooks a plenty and an extremely catchy chorus.

Truth Killer is filled with tracks that highlight the strengths of this band, hard hitting melodic songs with Lajon Witherspoon’s soulful voice.  “No Revolution”, Messenger” and “Love And Hate” definitely show all these facets, along with some tasteful and inventive soloing courtesy of Clint Lowery. For those that want Sevendust at it’s heaviest, the closing track “Fence” is a banger. It’s frenetically paced, with Lajon spit firing the verses along with Clint Lowery and John Conolly’s dense muscular guitar work.

Truth Killer is yet another remarkable outing by Sevendust.  The twelve tracks on the album mesh well, and when listened to in order build to a crescendo. They successfully walk the tightrope of pushing themselves artistically while staying true to their roots. From the production to the writing, to the performances, Sevendust have added yet another impressive album to their discography.

Truth Killer tracklisting:
1. I Might Let the Devil Win
2. Truth Killer
3. Won’t Stop the Bleeding
4. Everything
5. No Revolution
6. Sick Mouth
7. Holy Water
8. Leave Hell Behind
9. Superficial Drug
10. Messenger
11. Love and Hate
12. Fence

Sevendust:

Napalm Records: