A Different Kind Of Pain

About

Sometimes art imitates television. Remember on <i>The Sopranos</i>, when the hard-rocking Defiler became the alt-angst Visiting Day? Well, Jacksonville, Florida’s Cold have changed much in this way since their 1998 self-titled debut. They’ve lost both guitarists (with Terry Balsamo moving to Evanescence), switched labels, and stylistically shifted from Limp Bizkit-type math metal to Staind-like moody angst. This slowdown makes them pariahs amongst metal loyalists, but singer Scooter Ward has channeled his own life’s misfortunes (family members were seriously ill during the making of <i>Pain</i>) into gripping minor- key mopers that may not ignite the crowd, but play perfectly into a lonely, moonlit night. While platitudes such as “I don’t want to be alone” (“Feel It In Your Heart”) and looking for a “brand new start” (“Anatomy of a Tidal Wave”) are hardly earth-shattering insights, coupled with the band’s unrelenting and grinding chords, the emotive impact is real and heartfelt. It’s a matter of mentally preparing yourself for an album that few expected.

via Apple Music