The new Shinedown CD, 'The Sound Of Madness' is absolutely amazing. The band's new album really exceeded what I thought this band was capable of, and since 'Leave a Whisper', I had high expectations for this band which were somewhat disappointed by the overly radio friendly 'Us and Them'. Where Shinedown was heavy in ‘Leave a Whisper’, they are devastatingly driven in 'The Sound of Madness'. The album is full of turbo charged songs that are heavier than anything the band has ever done, "Sin with a Grin," "Cyanide Sweet Tooth Suicide" but also features refreshing ballads, including the beautiful "The Crow and the Butterfly," "If You Only Knew," and the stunning closer "Call Me." Shinedown have not only discovered the depths of their talents, but also their incredible versatility. Brent Smith's vocals shine brightly and the band's chemistry is tight as a glove. The addition of guitarist Nick Perri formerly of Silvertide has given Shinedown a strong musical foundation. Overall, it's a fantastic album with no filler tracks. I can press play and listen all the way through without skipping any tracks, which is very rare these days. 'The Sound of Madness' represents pure genius in the modern rock and roll era. Shinedown's passion, devotion to fans and ambition to keep rock music alive in the world is a blessing to all rockers and rollers around the world, and hopefully they will stay around for years and years to come. Shinedown have a masterpiece on their hands.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
