SEVENDUST has arrived! SEVENDUST has arrived! Formed in 1994 in Atlanta, GA, SEVENDUST was one of the forerunners of the fledgling Nu-Metal genre. While they still show a few elements of that today, they have morphed over the years and now spend much of their time defying classification and just being a killer band that can range from melodic Rock to Heavy Metal. Blood & Stone is the bands 13^th full-length album and was released on October 23, 2020 via Rise Records.

"Blood & Stone" is the second record with producer Michael Baskette and released on Rise Records. Much like the first issued by this pairing, "All I See Is War," this is another killer SEVENDUST offering. There is a symbiotic relationship between the band and producer here. SEVENDUST sound as fresh and new as they did in the '90s when putting out classics like "Black,", "Denial," "Licking Cream," and "Bitch".

The first song on the disc, "Dying To Live," immediately sets the tone with a fantastic guitar riff. I love the tones John and Clint use. Then you have Vince and Morgan doing what they do best, filling out the song and making it sound and feel bigger. Add to this the poignant lyrics, sung by multiple members of the group, and you have a distinct sound that SEVENDUST has been producing for over 25 years. And I love it just as much now as I did when I first heard the song "Denial" and identified with what I heard.

One thing SEVENDUST has done exceptionally well over the years is write relatable songs that move people. Whether it's to tears or just into the pit makes no difference. And the SEVENDUST fan club is rabid. They love this band because they always get what they need from them, something that touches them, something they can feel. And the fans know the history of the band. I've seen them 10 times live in four different states, but many of their hardcore supporters have seen them 50 or more times. That is band loyalty.

"Feel Like Going On" touches on that determination to keep going, no matter how hard it might be to do that. Perseverance in the face of adversity. Then, "What You've Become" goes in the other direction. This is when someone shows you who they really are and it isn't what they've bene saying. Actions speak louder than words and this is what happens when the actions show your real intentions.

Watching the many threads on the band social media feeds, it is easy to tell one of the fan favorites is "Criminal". "This is one of the more melodic songs on the record with lighter guitar tones. The song also has the smoother Lajon Witherspoon lyric delivery, rather than the gritty delivery of their harder songs. It's easy to see why this is a favorite. It is the quintessential song that speaks to betrayal and even some longing.

Then comes the song of hope and camaraderie, "Against The World". Working together to see the situation through to the end is something people everywhere want from their relationships. Someone who they can count on, no matter what. Good songwriters make you feel the song, to believe in the lyrics and get lost in your own memories. They help you deal with the hurt and celebrate the victories. This is what SEVENDUST does for their fans, give their feelings a voice and a rhythm.

The first single released off this record was a cover tune, something SEVENDUST does well. They do a really good rendition of the SOUNDGARDEN hit "The Day I Tried To Live". Done as a tribute to the inimitable Chris Cornell, the song is not a copy. It is SEVENDUST does SOUNDGARDEN. If you don't know what that sounds like, check it out. It is a fusion of the sounds. They honor the song, but make it their own.

One of the songs really sticking in my mind is "Nothing Left To See Here Anymore". This is a song about how something has come to an end and now there is just nothing left but the void left by the ending. There is no reason to look back, it's just emptiness. Again, having felt this before, they have given voice to the things I am not eloquent enough to say myself. This is that "right in the feels" song for me. It hasn't happened in a long time, but I still remember how it feels.

I would be willing to say it is one of the best SEVENDUST songs ever. I'm sure some of the most avid fans of the band might argue that point. The beautiful thing about that is the band has fans that are so into their entire catalog that they have lengthy discussions about why a song is their favorite. Thirteen albums in, SEVENDUST still puts out songs that people immediately move to the top of their playlist.

John Connolly and Clint Lowery are one of the best guitar duos in the business. Crunchy riff underneath and ethereal tones over the top are one of the hallmarks of their sound. Their use of different tunings and sometimes asynchronous rhythms is always really cool. Then you have the "rhythm" section. Vince Hornsby and Morgan Rose are not your standard drummer/bassist combination. They fit into the guitar riffs and form a backbone that is unlike any other bands.

Part of my love for this band is those underlying rhythms. Morgan does not hold a steady beat to keep the guitars in line. He plays the patterns that track with the guitars, not under them. It seems like all four limbs are doing something different from each other, but man does it work! And Vince is right there with Morgan, not trying to keep time, but fitting into the beat in a way that is not standard. This is not a band that follows the "industry norm" for songwriting and composition.

Then you have five people singing in this band. Lajon is definitely one of the best front men in the business. Charismatic, with stage presence for days, he can croon or belt. It just depends on what the song needs. Morgan has his signature screams that are an essential part of the total package. Clint, John and Vince all deliver counterpart vocals to Lajon and accent the songs with more depth.

Once again, SEVENDUST has delivered an excellent record that is timely, poignant and relatable. Through personal triumphs and tragedies, these guys take what life gives them and write songs that let their fans feel like they are a part of not just the band, but the SEVENDUST family. This is one of their best records and one of the best records of 2020. When touring resumes, you can bet I will be waiting to see these guys for the 11^th time.