SINGLE Checkmate // ARTIST Lamb of God
New decade, who dis? American heavyweights Lamb of God rear up with a belter, as brand new single Checkmate marks not only the first new material this decade (and the first new LoG music in five years) - it's also a sneak peek at the band's self-titled full-length due out May 8.
An irrefutable freight train in the modern heavy metal world, Lamb of God have continued to leave a storm of shred and grooves in their wake with a cavalcade of releases, award noms (including 5 x Grammy nominations) and a blistering live show that only seems to get better with each passing year. And while it's been a few years between new tunes from this epic quintet, 2020 not only brings with it the announcement of a self-titled album due out in May via Nuclear Blast Records; we've also got a brand new tune and music video to absorb with Checkmate dropping last week.
Bearing all the hallmarks you'd expect from a Lamb of God outing, Checkmate is all tight riffs, pummeling beats (courtesy of newcomer Art Cruz) and the familiar vocal menace of D. Randall Blythe as the LoG gents embrace the old with the new into a lively and fiery outing.
“‘Checkmate’ brings together all the components of the LAMB OF GOD sound that we’ve been developing over the last two decades, but with the ambition and ferocity that comes with the start of a new chapter for our band...Re-energized and reignited, this is LAMB OF GOD 2020. We’ve never been more excited.” - Mark Morton, guitarist
And just what can we expect from the upcoming full-length due out this May? According to the band, the self-titled album is set to be a cohesive reflection of the band's individual writing styles, with the thrashing and grooving guitars courtesy of Mark Morton and Willie Adler, fluid basslines from John Campbell, rhythmic mayhem from Art Cruz and some impassioned vocal combustion from frontman Randy Blythe as he tackles the modern world through an early punk-rock laced lens.
In 2020, Lamb of God is re-energized and unrelenting, ready to lay claim once again to the metal throne - and Checkmate is only the beginning. Go grab a look and a listen to the brand new track below!
LAMB OF GOD'S SELF-TITLED FULL-LENGTH IS DUE OUT THIS MAY 8 VIA NUCLEAR BLAST RECORDS. FOR PRE-ORDERS, HEAD HERE & FOR ALL OTHER BAND INFO HEAD HERE.
BY TIANA SPETER