Customer Reviews

Cold Day Memory (CD/DVD)

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Those lyrics from the chorus of "Confessions (Without Faith)," one of the songs on Sevendust's eighth studio release Cold Day Memory, sum up this band's tenure. Since the late 90s they have largely gone under the radar, so to speak, of rock radio fame with the exception of some semi-popular singles. ("Black," "Denial," "Praise," "Enemy," "Ugly," "Driven," and "Prodigal Son," naming one from each of their previous seven albums.) These guys, however, have not let this lack of recognition affect the quality of their music or the admiration from their dedicated fanbase.

A little over two years ago I wrote a review for the then recently released Sevendust album Chapter VII: Hope and Sorrow. I stated something to the effect of it being the band's "best album since 2001's release, Animosity." After giving several thorough listens to Cold Day Memory (received it four days ago via pre-order from the band's website :-D), I am now eating my words. Animosity is often regarded by many loyal Sevendust fans as the band at their creative peak. I can confidently say, however, that this release has taken them to an entirely new level. With founding guitarist/backing vocalist Clint Lowery returning to the fold, it seems as though a spark was lit under the band members to write a batch of the strongest and most musically complex (yet still very accessible) tunes in their catalog.

Lowery has not contributed to or performed on a Sevendust album since 2003's Seasons album. To this date I am still unaware of exactly why he left (I've heard the usual "personal/creative differences" lines) but that's all moot now that he's back, and the band is all the better for it if you ask me. This is not to say that any of the albums the band recorded during the early 2005-early 2008 Sonny Mayo era (Next, Alpha, and Chapter VII) were bad because they certainly were not and definitely contained a number of excellent songs. ("Ugly," "Silence," "Failure," "Driven," "Clueless," "Confessions of Hatred," "Inside," "Prodigal Son," and "The Past" to name just a handful.) Still, it seemed as if one ingredient to the Sevendust recipe was missing and Clint Lowery was that piece. He is a far superior songwriter to Mayo and it shows on this album.

The guys sound better and more cohesive than they have in years, ripping through twelve songs with their always powerful vocals, searing riffs and solos, and a pulsating rhythm section that is just about second to none in rock today. Cuts like "Splinter," "Forever Dead," first single "Unraveling," "Ride Insane" (my personal favorite), "Confessions (Without Faith)," "Nowhere," and "Better Place" reminds us exactly why we fans fell in love with this band in the first place. There is seriously not a bad song on the entire record, though we will all have our favorites. What I call the "perfect mix of beauty and brutality" with respect to the band is more present on this album than their last three, each of which contained a number of songs that were heavy just for the sake of it. (This was especially the case with the Alpha album.) Lajon Witherspoon has pushed his vocal abilities to limits I didn't know he had. Lowery and fellow guitarist John Connolly feed off of each other with the greatest of ease, trading amazing riffs and solos (which are far more prevalent here than on previous 7D albums, all of them being VERY strong) back and forth, and the band's rhythm section comprised of bassist Vinnie Hornsby and drummer Morgan Rose have as expected not missed a beat. From a lyrical perspective, it appears as though the guys are digging even further into the human condition than they have on past albums. Granted they've never been the most didactic band out there, but their words are introspective enough so as to possibly be cathartic for oneself. I'm speaking from experience here.

Okay, this review has been entirely too long. My apologies especially since much of it was about the band's past, though I do feel that information was necessary to place this album in its proper context. By that I mean the ever-evolving nature of their music. These five boys from Atlanta have seriously come a long way since 1997, and giving even just one listen to Cold Day Memory makes that very obvious. Kudos to Sevendust on releasing what could very well be a career-defining album.

As an added bonus, this album also comes with a DVD which is close to an hour in length. It's a great synopsis of Clint's rejoining the band and the songwriting/producing/recording processes behind the album. Great stuff, and the guys are as humorous in interviews as always. :-)

I reviewed this CD about a month ago and I gave it a 2 out of 5 stars. I have since deleted that review and am posting this one. This is their best album since Animosity. Animosity was a new direction for Sevendust in some ways and this reminds me of that. Sevendust in Clint's first album back writing is an edgier look into the souls of us all. What our strength's are and our betrayels. I love the new guitar work that they have added here. It gives it that slicing ice cold heavy sound giving good reason for the title. All forces are at control of their craft at it's best. Thoroughly enjoying it! Sorry for the initial doubt guys! Had to give it a little more time and attention to fully appreciate. Thanks again for all the years of great music!

It's been almost seven years since Atlanta, Georgia's Sevendust have recorded with original guitarist Clint Lowery in tow. In that time, Lowery played in Dark New Day with his brother Corey and filled in as a hired-gun for Korn, before reconnecting with the band just in time for the release of 2008's, Chapter VII: Hope and Sorrow, which was recorded with his replacement, Sonny Mayo, in tow. Although Mayo helped keep the band pumping through nearly three album cycles worth of recording and touring, Lowery's absence was noticeably felt, and longtime fans will breathe a sigh of relief at his return to the fold with the band's eighth (!) album, "Cold Day Memory."

Like any good Sevendust album, "Cold Day Memory" kicks off with a bang. "Splinter" opens the album with some killer leads by Lowery (oh how we missed you) and the patented three-part vocal harmonizing between the guitarist, singer Lajon Witherspoon and drummer Morgan Rose. From there, the band keeps the energy going through tracks like "Unraveling" and "Forever," which, at their heart, are classic Sevendust and sound like they could have been lost tracks from 2001's Animosity. "Karma" finds the band simultaneously crushing and caressing with a killer breakdown that seems designed to incite a moshpit giving way to the soulful melodies of Witherspoon, only serving to show that they've still got it after all of these years.

Unfortunately, the middle of the album doesn't quite live up to what the beginning promises. For the recording of the album, the band brought in producer Johnny K to help them reel things in and find their edge, and while it works in creating some truly memorable songs, they lose focus mid-way through and seem to fall asleep at the wheel. Things pick up a bit again with "Nowhere" and especially "Better Place" --a very Clint-centric song that will appease old-school fans - before capping off with the intense "Strong Arm Broken," but the middle is perhaps the band at their most middle-of-the-road, and that's a bummer.

Maybe if they had shaved off a few songs in the middle that just don't stick ("Ride Insane" in particular) "Cold Day Memory" would have been a tighter and more accomplished affair. Also, it wouldn't have hurt to let Clint into the spotlight a bit more. Afterall, this is his long-awaited return to the band, but it feels maybe like there was some apprehension about stepping on each other's feet. Something along the lines of "X-Mas Day" or "Angel's Son" would have helped add to the dynamic of the album and is something most of us have been craving for years now. I guess if you're looking for some Clint-tunes, his solo EP, "Chills" -- released under the Hello Demons, Meet Skeletons moniker -- will have to suffice for now.

Overall, though, "Cold Day Memory" marks another exciting chapter in the band's history. Surely, there are more than a few songs here that will only help to intensify their live show and the album only goes to prove what we all knew all along: that Sevendust are at their best with its classic line-up intact. The CD comes with a bonus DVD that is worth picking up, as it features a documentary on the making of the album that goes beyond the usual fluff most bonus DVD's consist of. Even though it's not perfect, "Cold Day Memory" has enough to please any fan, and that's enough to recommend it to anyone reading this. Go buy the album, go see them live (where they truly shine) and continue to support the hardest working band on the scene.

I have been following these guys since about '99 and have enjoyed their course. Alpha was hard, but it did feel like they were doing just because, though I did like the album. These guys have unfortunately been under the radar for far too long and deserve more credit. Over the years, my taste in music grew from Bush to Creed to Sevendust to mostly Death Metal now, but I have always stuck with Sevendust. I have introduced as many people to this band as possible and have yet to find anyone who dislikes them, despite the fact that many of these individuals avoid metal at all costs. With this album they have come out in full force. I usually wait a month or two to really get to know the album before reviewing it. However this one is just amazing in it's diversity and execution. Great band, phenomenal album.

Better than their last album which was a disaster,this picks off right where Alpha was.Clint Lowery returning helps some songs reminisce a little bit to the Animosity album and the songs here have life and sound.Really glad they came back to their roots and hightailed a bit from the radio esque they attempted to do with their last effort.

Having listened at least three times all the way through this album, I am very much pleased with the effort. I put a five star rating on here, but I actually think its a strong 4.5. Having Clint Lowry back in the fold has changed their music again, but this time for the good. I did like the Hope and Sorrow album, but think I rated it too high at the the time, as I probably am rating this album, but I think this will hold up over time much better. The playing and production are tight, and the lyrics are thoughtful and powerful as always. Lajon has not sounded better, ever, as well as Clint. They both have awesome voices. Lets say Clint had never come back and this album probably does not happen. I did like Next and Chapter 7, but my personal favorite from the Sonny era was Alpha. After a few years it still holds up very well.

Why did I rate this down a touch? Because it could and should have been strong all the way through out. In a few places it falls down a bit, in the middle, but as others have said, the last 3 tracks finish the record strongly. As for me, I like "Forever", "Here and Now", and "Strong Arm Broken." I would definitely say this is an album that should appeal to hardcore 7D fans along with those looking to get into them.

Sevendust has always been a band that has worked harder than most to perfect their craft. They have toured relentlessly for almost fifteen years now, and still put on one of the best shows you will ever see. A few years ago, the band released "Chapter VII: Hope and Sorrow." While most fans agree that this was the best of the years with Sonny Mayo, the reuniting of Clint Lowery with the band overshadowed that album in a sense. Lowery returning to the band meant that the songwriting would improve tremendously and give the band a welcome kick in the ass. A little more than two years later, and here comes "Cold Day Memory." As a longtime fan, and supporter of all things Sevendust (I have a tattoo that takes up my entire right forearm), I cannot remember being as excited about any Sevendust album.

The album starts off quite similarly to "Inside" off their last album with a sample of sounds before ripping into one of the best songs they have ever written in the form of a song they call "Splinter." Everything that there is to love about Sevendust is in this song, heavy riffs, jackhammer drums, and a melody that just makes you want to get up and sing along. Next comes "Forever" with it's amazing start-stop guitar riffs and double bass drumming courtesy of one of the most decorated drummer's in the hard rock scene, Mr. Morgan Rose. After listening to this album, it is clear that Morgan has stepped up his game considerably, and it is a welcome to the ears because he has never really showed his full potential on an album until now.

The next song is a monster of a single. When the lyrics of "Unraveling" hit, it immediately struck a chord with me, and literally brought tears to my eyes as it was the soundtrack to my life at this time. The heart of the album soon follows with "Last Breath," "Karma," "Ride Insane," and "Confessions." These four songs showcase all that is great about our boys: the riffs, the melody, and the lyrics that make you want to get up and scream them at the top of your lungs. While there is nothing particularly stand-out about them, they all offer a solid mid-section to the album which keeps the listener interested and ready for what's to come.

What's next to come are "Nowhere" and "Here and Now," which are two songs that could have been B-sides to "Animosity" which many Dust-heads agree is their most focused and balanced album. These two songs are wonderful mid-paced songs that get the listener's head bobbing up and down with some wonderful guitar riffs courtesy of Lowery, and John Connolly.

Finally, the last three songs on the album have arrived. You will not find a better 1-2-3 punch than these songs. "The End is Coming" is one of the most experimental, and amazing songs the band has ever written, with Lowery laying down his best guitar solo that he has ever done. This song is very different that anything the band has done, but it is one of the most standout tracks the band has done. This formula continues with "Better Place" which starts off very melodic, then erupts into one of the best riffs the band has ever come up with. This song will quickly become a fan favorite. Lastly comes the song that will have a lot of people taking notice. "Strong Arm Broken" is one of the heaviest songs the band has ever done and would not be out of place on a Lamb of God album. The double bass, screamed vocals, and loud guitars are a fantastic finish to this amazing album.

The band has truly knocked it out of the park with this album. With Lowery returning, the songwriting gets a much needed boost from the previous three albums, amazing in their own right, but most can say were missing that magic that Lowery has brought back. The vocals of Lajon Witherspoon are the best that they have ever been, and given the fact that Lowery, and Rose are backing him up with some amazing vocals of their own, you have a three-headed vocal beast that is ready to lay waste to any listeners who are unprepared. The guitar work of Lowery and Connolly is more impressive than it ever has been with the welcome addition of abundant guitar leads and solos from both men. The stellar rhythm section of bassist Vince Hornsby and Rose is in top shape as it always has been, but it has been improved by producer Johnny K. who adds another notch to his belt of amazing albums. The entire band has stepped it up a thousand notches on this album, and one can only hope that the band can give us another eight albums of incredible musicianship and professionalism.

Once again, Sevendust easily fulfills the yearning hearts of their loyal fans. Their newest release, Cold Day Memory, is a testament to all those who have grown up with the guys from Atlanta. Cold Day Memory is a combination of all their growth and reconnection as musicians. The talent of the group has reached new levels. This album contains all the melodies, guitar tracks, and trance-like bass and drums a metal fan could want. Personally, I have listened to this album at least 3 times a day since the release day, and it never gets old. If you have ever heard Sevendust, or you have seen them live, this album is a must have. Buy this album!!!!

This album was worth the wait. It sounds like Sevendust. Some songs catch your attention, than some others don't, but most of the album you can sit through without getting tired of it. I'm glad they're still around. If you like their previous albums, I'm sure you'll like this one. On the first listen I fell in love with Cold Day Memory, it's a must have album. This is one of the metal albums that will rule 2010. There is a few songs that really catch my attention: Rise Insane, Confessions ( Without Faith), Splinter, Forever Dead, and Last Breath.

I am so glad I spent my money on Sevendust's latest release, Cold Day Memory, because it is so well put together. As I recap, I'm just going to say that I have recently begun to collect Sevendust's albums, and boy is it a good hobby for me.

Sevendust, dated back to 1997, was a solid debut from the band, offering some of their most popular songs. Two years later, Home was released, and it was even better, adding Skin from Skunk Anansie, and Chino Moreno from Deftones, as guest vocalists. Animosity continues to be their most diverse record, but Seasons is by far my favorite from Sevendust. Seasons was pretty much a pop-ish sounding record, but it's a very strong record. Next wasn't as good as their other albums due to the same formula being repeated, and is the same case of Alpha and Chapter VII being just decent, especially Chapter VII. So, here we are with Sevendust's latest release, and it's their strongest since Seasons.

Every song on here follows two things: to be ridiculously creative and heavy, or to be soft and melodic, and being completely original when coming up with guitar riffs. Splinter is an excellent way to kick off the album, with a very sweet guitar lick, and some fantastic vocals by Lajon Witherspoon. A little later on the album, we kick into my favorite song here, aptly titled, "Confessions (Without Faith)". It really tells you to stand tall and be proud of who you are. Other highlights include Unraveling, Splinter (obviously), Better Place, and Here and Now. From the first second of Splinter to the end of Strong Arm Broken, this record is a masterpiece.

You have to got to see for yourself what I am ranting about. Go out and buy this CD at all costs.

Rating: 4.5 stars/5 stars