Anesthetic

Mark Morton

Spinefarm Records, 2019

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Morton_(musician)

REVIEW BY: Pete Crigler

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 03/26/2019

In a surprising turn of events, Lamb Of God guitarist Mark Morton is the first member of the band to release a solo record. What we have here is a lot like Dave Grohl’s 2003 Probot project, just a smidge lighter in tone. Morton has roped in some of his favorite vocalists and rhythm sections to craft a metal record that has some of the better songs I’ve heard in awhile.my_heart_sings_the_harmony_web_ad_alt_250

Opening track “Cross Off” features what may be one of the last recordings of Chester Bennington of Linkin Park, and God, does he nail it. It’s great and refreshing to hear him screaming again after years of softer LP material. What comes out is one of the best songs of the year and a great way to kick off the disc.

Other tracks like “The Never” with Chuck Billy of Testament and “Blur” with Mark Morales of Sons Of Texas aren’t as great or memorable and drag the album down a bit. Fortunately, others like “Axis” with Mark Lanegan and the excellent “Save Defiance” with Myles Kennedy of Alter Bridge are just exceptional. Even the track that Morton sings on his own, “Imaginary Days,” is a great song that is surprising and rewarding.

By the time we hear ol’ Josh Todd of Buckcherry on “Back From The Dead,” one is just about ready to shut things down. He is just unbearable and essentially washed-up, and his is one of about three tracks here that are totally skippable. It’s just rubbish and best left unheard.

The final track features Randy from Lamb and the unlikeable Alissa White-Gluz of Arch Enemy in a nice duet that wraps proceedings up in a nice, delectable package.

This is one of the more surprising discs of the year. It is a collection that features some excellence and some crap, but it’s one that demands to be heard.

Rating: B

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