 
They’re back! One of the most successful
American rock acts have finally returned with
an attempt to follow up their previous masterpiece
“The Sound of Madness”. What a challenge
that is from the word go because that album just
had it all; heavy tracks, light tracks, catchy
lyrics, infectious melodies and quite frankly
the best Shinedown material in existence. To follow
that they need to tap into something really special,
perhaps they may even need a miracle.
What I am feeling right from the get go is power;
whilst past material draws on emotional themes
giving them powerful lyrics, some of the stuff
present on “Amaryllis” puts them all
to complete shame. “Bully” is the
ultimate song when it comes to powerful lyrics,
nearly brings tears to my eyes with each listen;
kicking off really heavy and mellowing out during
the verses only to bring the ultimate chorus line,
“all you’ll ever be is a vague memory
of a bully, make another joke while they’re
hanging on a rope so lonely, push them to the
dirt till the words don’t hurt can you hear
me, and no ones gunna cry on the very day you
die you’re a bully” now that right
there is one of the most powerful lyrics I’ve
ever heard in my life.
Amongst all these emotional themed lyrics there
is more than just power, there is beauty. The
album’s title track “Amaryllis”
is one of them, gentle guitar tones alongside
the vocals of Brent Smith have already produced
some of the best songs and this is another to
add to the list, same goes for “I’ll
Follow You” which sees Brent work his magic
with an accompanying piano.
Don’t worry if you’re a fan of their
heavier material because the heavier fans haven’t
been neglected on this album either with real
bruisers like “Adrenaline” and “Enemies”
asserting their place on the track list with their
upbeat tempos and gritty distortion. All in all
they haven’t pulled out a miracle because
this and “The Sound of Madness” utilize
different ranges of the bands distinctive musical
style, what it is though is proof the band are
smart enough to explore this range to follow up
a masterpiece with another.
5/5
Review by James Webb
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