Sevendust Albums (8)
What The Critics Say
On Chapter VII: Hope and Sorrow, Sevendust open their doors to such guests as Alter Bridge's Myles Kennedy and American Idol's Chris Daughtry, a move that stretches the album's sound past the usual limits of alternative metal. Daughtry may be a popular figure in the hard rock world, but he's also synonymous with the glitzy TV show that helped launch his career, and his presence here points to Sevendust's desire to tap into that same market. If 2007's Alpha prized riffs over melody, then Chapter VII is the reversal of that arrangement, with songs like "Sorrow" and "The Past" featuring the sort of tough-guy-ballad approach that often yields heavy rotation on modern rock radio. Daughtry lends his vocals to the latter song, although his moment in the spotlight is limited -- perhaps because his voice outshines Sevendust's Lajon Witherspoon, or because the band doesn't want "The Past" to sound too much like a Daughtry track. "Hope," on the other hand, pitches itself closer to the Linkin Park camp with its melancholic piano intro and rainy day atmospherics, even if the chorus packs more throat-shredding power than anything Chester Bennington has mustered on a Linkin Park release. Pounding percussion, swaggering guitars, and downtrodden lyrics are still Sevendust's bread and butter -- especially throughout the album's second half -- and even "Hope" finds time to showcase some dazzling, fiery guitar heroics by the visiting Mark Tremonti. So while Sevendust's audience won't be thoroughly confused with this release, they'll occasionally be jolted by the changes that Chapter VII presents: pop idol cameos, heavy-handed semi-ballads, and some cautious steps outside of the alt-metal genre. ~ Andrew Leahey, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The faithful know the story, but here's the short version. In late 2004 Clint Lowery left Sevendust to join the unimpressive post-grunge outfit Dark New Day, and was promptly replaced with ex-Snot guitarist Sonny Mayo. Then Sevendust departed longtime label TVT in favor of a Universal-distributed indie startup called Winedark. The net result of these changes? Not much. On Next Sevendust still alternate heavy, jaggedly rocking alt-metal with turns toward introspection or balladry. "Hero" opens the album with a stuttering guitar riff and Lajon Witherspoon rasping, "Stop, drop, roll, get up, take a crack at me/Like every other motherf*cker that I've seen today," through clenched teeth. Is his anger aimed at Lowery? Unclear, but it's a powerful song nonetheless. "Silence" and "Desertion" back that aggression up, "This Life" is Witherspoon's synth-supported tribute to his newborn child, and "Never" employs some processed instrumentation for an industrial metal feel. Sevendust play with feeling throughout, and Witherspoon once again shows that he has more range than most of his loud rock contemporaries. Sevendust might have pressed harder on the new wounds inherent in "Hero," but for the most part Next is another capable effort from the band. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide
'Southside Double-Wide: Acoustic Live'
Release Date 4/13/2004
Tracks 16
Label TVT
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
September 2003 found Sevendust on the road, but without the amps, which they left in Atlanta in favor of acoustic sets. Southside Double-Wide documents that jaunt with a CD and DVD set capturing the band's September 12, 2003, gig at the Georgia Theatre in Athens. While the deluxe version's collectible box and postcards are nice, fans should be most excited about the music, which emphasizes musicianship over amplified heft and passion over full-bore aggression. Lajon Witherspoon's vocals have always had more soul than most of his peers. This lighter setup emphasizes his vocal, as well as the impressive harmony work of guitarist Clint Lowery. Morgan Rose opts for a full drum kit, only occasionally shifting to hand percussion. This is wise, as even without the electrification, Sevendust's grooves are pretty muscular. "Trust" and "Seasons" especially benefit from the heavy covering fire laid down by Rose and bassist Vince Hornsby. Animosity's "Beautiful" and "Follow" are both highlights, as the acoustic setup intensifies their changes and illustrates not only Witherspoon's soulful range, but his gravel-pit scream. Lowery handles lead vocals for Johnny Cash's "Hurt" -- Sevendust's version sort of sounds like Staind, but it's tinged with a bittersweet melancholia instead of glowering melodrama. "Angel's Son" continues the set's lighter midsection, before a finale that includes versions of "Too Close to Hate" and "Prayer" that artfully mix melody with acoustic power. A slightly abbreviated yet still aggressive "Bitch" ends the set. Fans should invest readily in Southside Double-Wide, especially attendees of the acoustic shows. Sevendust's famously confrontational sound smolders, and damn it if their sensitive side isn't just as fiery. [Double-Wide includes a bonus studio track as well as a DVD with the entire concert.] ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
In the late '90s and early 2000s, there were countless alternative metal bands that were similar to Sevendust in many respects -- bands that could be bone crushing but also had a sense of melody; bands that thrived on dark, angst-ridden lyrics and were as angry as they were introspective. But most of them couldn't match Sevendust's excellence; even if they had the basics down, their writing wasn't as consistent. Plus, they didn't have anyone as exciting as lead singer Lajon Witherspoon (whose soulful, R&B-influenced vocals set Sevendust apart from most of the group's competitors in the alt-metal field). Released in 2003, the Atlanta residents' fourth album, Seasons, came six years after their 1997 debut -- and creatively, they didn't lose any momentum on this forceful yet melodic CD. Surprisingly, Seasons was produced by singer/songwriter Butch Walker, who is known for his years with Marvelous 3 and is generally a lot more pop-minded than Witherspoon and his colleagues -- not exactly the first person one would expect to produce a Sevendust disc. But in fact, Walker produced some demos for Sevendust before the band signed with TVT (back when the group was known as Crawlspace). And even though Walker doesn't have a long resumé when it comes to alt-metal, he works out well on Seasons. From the burning anger of "Enemy" (drummer Morgan Rose's blistering attack on former Coal Chamber singer B. Dez Fafara) to the dark introspection of "Suffocate," "Broken Down," "Separate," and "Skeleton Song," Seasons is far from a happy CD, but it's a compelling one -- perhaps too dark for some listeners, but compelling nonetheless -- and Sevendust continues to live up to its high standards throughout the band's fourth album. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
On Animosity, Sevendust stick to an alternative industrial metal formula of mind-numbing aggression propelled by rapid-fire pentatonic riffs, growling lower-register bass rumblings, and polyrhythmic drum patterns intermixed with electronic samples. "Angel's Son" is the most listenable cut, thanks to a series of open-tuning guitar patterns, sustained arpeggios, and interesting counterpoint harmonies via orchestral string arrangements that allow a little light to shine through the dark lyrics. ~ Tom Semioli, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
All too often, bands that have shown as much promise as Sevendust did on its self-titled debut album (which went gold) have fallen prey to the dreaded sophomore curse and failed to make good on that promise. But there are no signs of a sophomore slump on Sevendust's second album, Home, which like its predecessor, is as melodic as it is angry and brutally heavy. Melody isn't simply an afterthought on this CD -- it's an integral part of the band's sound, and it complements the intensity and forcefulness of songs like "Denial," "Feel So," and "Crumpled." Many of the influences heard on Sevendust are also heard on Home -- the Atlantans still show an appreciation of artists ranging from Living Colour and Nirvana to Anthrax, Metallica, and Faith No More. But Sevendust is quite recognizable itself, and it had become a major player in the alternative metal world of the late '90s. Those who savored Sevendust's first album won't find Home to be the least bit disappointing. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Influenced by thrash metal, grunge, industrial, and rap, the Atlanta-based Sevendust had a brutally heavy alternative rock release in its riveting debut, self-titled album. But for all its intensity, Sevendust is a band that, like Living Colour and Nirvana, combines a striking melodic sense with sledgehammer aggression. Though Living Colour is a valid comparison (up to a point), one also hears traces of everyone from Metallica and Anthrax to Faith No More and Ministry here. Sevendust's very dark lyrics are as heavy as its music. "Face" candidly describes a consensual S&M/bondage scenario, while other songs deal with social issues. Addressing such topics as racism ("Black"), depression and schizophrenia ("Too Close to Hate"), and drug addiction ("Wired"), this CD is as arresting lyrically as it is musically. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
