Lamb of God

Lamb of God is the band’s tenth album, on which they chose a self-title, a work that re-presents their core. Randy Blythe’s roar, sharp guitar chugging and heavily sinking groove push out distrust of society and personal irritation without mercy. It is a record made through a great change — the departure of longtime drummer Chris Adler. On “Memento Mori,” “Checkmate” and “New Colossal Hate,” the playing of new drummer Art Cruz also supports the songs’ momentum and precision. Songs like “Gears,” “Resurrection Man” and “Routes” breathe the band’s full playing too. Rather than merely tracing past molds, they finely adjust the distribution of speed, weight and hooks. Overcoming the lineup change, it is a powerful record that showed the reason the band remains aggressive.