Lamb of God

Released in 2020, this self-titled album serves as a definitive statement for Lamb of God's modern era. It is most notable for being the first studio recording to feature drummer Art Cruz, who replaced founding member Chris Adler. Cruz's performance maintains the band's signature syncopated 'groove' while adding a slightly more fluid, contemporary energy to the percussion. Produced by Josh Wilbur, the record features a high-fidelity, compressed sound that emphasizes the 'chug' of the guitars and the snap of the snare. The inclusion of guest vocalists like Jamey Jasta (Hatebreed) and Chuck Billy (Testament) anchors the album in the lineage of both hardcore and thrash metal. Critics noted that while the album doesn't reinvent the band's wheel, it represents a peak of their technical execution and a timely reflection of societal unease, particularly on tracks like 'Checkmate' and 'Memento Mori'.