Artist - Corrosion of Conformity
Album - In The Arms of God
Label - Sanctuary Records Group
Reviewer - Robin Steeley
The latest from Raleigh, North Carolina’s metal outfit Corrosion of Conformity comes from Sanctuary Records and is due to be released April 5th, 2005. It has been a long five years of waiting for COC fans since the bands last release ‘America’s Volume Dealer’, but the band proves they are back in force with this rock solid release and I doubt their fans have forgotten them for one second. Full of hard rocking swampy rhythms and crunch-laden guitar riffs, powerful grooves, and all of the same hooks that snared us last time, In the Arms of God has it all and then some. The vocals are angry and intense with that classic style COC has always been known for, mixing their hardcore background with a laid back southern Sabbath groove all punctuated by driving percussion that ties it together and underscored by the phenomenal voice of Pepper Keenan.
It opens with a trippy keyboard intro before busting into the melodic “Stone Breaker” which has all the elements of this bands unique style and sound. Next is the more hardcore “Paranoid Opioid” and the head turner “It Is That Way” full of crunchy riffs and guitar solos and which also appeared on High Times compilation "High Volume: The Stoner Rock Collection".
Other highlights include the groove laden “Dirty Hands Empty Pockets/Already Gone” full to the brim of the bands signature sonic attack. I also really liked the fast, heavier old school beats of “Infinite War” as well as the slower burning track “Crown of Thorns” which leads right into the brutal title track, seven minutes long and full of all the things you love best about this band.
Overall, there are 12 tracks on this CD; many of them over five minutes so you are really getting your money’s worth, COC is better then ever and still kings of the Underground. “In The Arms of God” is a little heavier, a little sludgier, and a lot more metal, and could certainly be called an impressive comeback. Corrosion of Conformity will be heading out on a U.S tour with Motorhead in March, for more information go to www.coc.com.
Track Listing
01. Stonebreaker
02. Paranoid Opioid
03. It's That Way
04. Diry Hands Empty Pockets / Already Gone
05. Rise River Rise
06. Never Turns To More
07. Infinite War
08. So Much Left Behind
09. Backslider
10. World On Fire
11. Crown Of Thorns
12. In The Arms Of God
