Band:	Lamb Of God
Album:	Ashes Of The Wake
Style:	Groove thrash metal
Release date:	August 2004

Disc I
01. Laid To Rest
02. Hourglass
03. Now You've Got Something To Die For
04. The Faded Line
05. Omerta
06. Blood Of The Scribe
07. One Gun
08. Break You
09. What I've Become
10. Ashes Of The Wake
11. Remorse Is For The Dead
12. Another Nail For Your Coffin [Japanese bonus]

Disc II [First pressing bonus: Pure American Metal]
01. Bloodletting
02. The Subtle Arts Of Murder And Persuasion
03. 11th Hour
04. Black Label [live]
05. Laid To Rest [demo]

Well, if there was a poll for Lamb Of God's magnum opus or defining work, I'm pretty sure it would yield this. Ashes Of The wake is not only an outstanding thrash/groove metal album but also one that every metal fan must "die for." From start to finish, it imposes the power of their previous works as on New American Gospel and As The Palaces Burn and the depth of Sacrament making it an epic listen. This is the one album which has it all.

The opener is an immediate hit. That followed by the technically brilliant "Hourglass" makes for one hell of a start. Each song highlights the much-improved near-perfect vocals of Randy Blythe and the simply stunning drumming by Chris Adler. The guitarists put in a number of outstanding riffs with the occasional solo. The technical brilliance is such that you may need to revisit the album a few times to take in the entire effects. I have heard the album a few hundred times in the last few years and still find myself exploring and enjoying the music. The theme is generally of war and violence. The lyrical quality is also amongst the best I have heard in a very long time.

"Now You've Got Something to Die For" is a classic and amongst their best songs ever. The middle of the album is filled with many thrash and head-banging songs of varying speed before ending with the masterpiece title-track and "Remorse Is For The Dead," which almost hits you like an explosive finishing move. Musically, it can be argued that As The Palaces Burn was slightly better but the production and vocal quality is a step-up.

Ashes Of The Wake is a masterpiece from all angles and will appeal to fans of every genre of metal. It is the perfect album to get into if you have not heard Lamb Of God. Give it at least a few runs. You will be highly rewarded in the end.