Oh my goodness, I have no words to speak: I am the lucky one from Metal Temple to hear and write about new CORROSION OF CONFORMITY (most known as C.O.C.), "IX"!

Some fans never accepted their musical evolution from earlier Hardcore/Crossover format to a more Stoner/Southern Rock orientation, but they're very good in both ways, and on "IX" you'll have great Stoner Metal/Rock moments, but with some moments of great adrenaline as well, maybe an echo from their earlier days.

Extremely harsh voices on normal tunes, oiled and strong guitar riffs (and melodic solos with a 70's feeling), a very good work by bass and drums, and a band with personality that knows what want to do with their music and how to get the best results, so "IX" is indeed a very good release.

Very good sound production that reminds us the feeling they got on "Deliverance", or translating for the ones who didn't heard this album: a dirty and oiled sensation, with the instruments clear and with good musical arrangements.

As always, the band's work is not focused on individual techniques, but on doing very good music. And as veterans, they really get us by the ear and hear. As your Old Big Daddy said above, sometimes we can feel that they did something trying to recover their latest musical influences, mixing with actual musical approach. Hearing "Brand New Sleep" (what wonderful guitar riffs and oiled solos!), "Elphyn" and "The Hanged Man" have that Stoner/Southern feeling, always heavy as a bulldozer, but on "Denmark Vesey" (a good Rock'n'Roll/Punk Rock orientated song) and "Tarquinius Superbus" (the drums and bass are really fantastic in this more Crossover song) shows clearly the more aggressive sound from their beginning days, but there a more accessible feeling in some moments, as on the sublime "Trucker".

Speaking the truth: it's not the best C.O.C. album, but it's too good and fine, and how is good to have a band with such respect for their music nowadays.