Band : Sevendust

Album Title : Chapter VII : Hope & Sorrow

Label : Warner Records – Asylum Records

Distributor : Rough Trade

Release Date : 07/04/2008

Release : CD

After a four year absence founding member and key songwriter Clint Lowery has rejoined Sevendust but this new album still is made without Lowery . And so it seems that Sevendust has written the same album for the third time in a row. The band have failed to push themselves forward as a band.   “ Chapter VII : Hope & Sorrow ” is made without any risk or attempt to push themselves forward. It seems they recycle pretty much the same riffs and song structures over and over again. Furthermore, the material on this new album lacks the artistry, immediacy and heaviness of their earlier works.   Sevendust has opened their doors to such guests as Alter Bridge 's Myles Kennedy and Am eric an Idol's Chris Daughtry . It's a move that stretches the album's sound past the usual limits of alternative metal. One of the more interesting moments on this album is “ Hope ”. A piano intro sets a sombre mood into a chilling chorus that really hits you with heavily distorted guitars. The song pitches itself to the Linkin Park sound. Another song that can stand the test is “ Scapegoat ”. It's a song that builds into the best chorus on the record together with creative metal riffs. And the last song on the album “ Walk Away ” is without a doubt the best written song with an infectious chorus. In the end “ Chapter VII : Hope & Sorrow ” is yet another mediocre Sevendust album. Vocalist Lajon Witherspoon is so soulful and drummer Morgan Rose is sometimes brilliant but this new album presents only pop idol cameos, heavy-handed semi-ballads, and some cautious steps outside of the alternative metal genre.

65/100

Guido Claes.