Album Review
Sevendust - Chapter VII: Hope & SorrowSevendust – Chapter VII: Hope & Sorrow

Chapter VII: Hope & Sorrow is the aptly named seventh album from Sevendust, the alternative metal five piece from Atlanta, Georgia. Fans will notice an unsettling diversion from Sevendust’s usual style, along with some surprising guest appearances.

The most surprising appearance is from Chris Daughtry of American Idol fame. Of course, he’s well known and respected in the hard rock world too, but you can’t help but associate him with the glitzy TV show that gave his career a leg up. There are further guest slots filled by Miles Kennedy from Alter Bridge and Mark Tremonti (Creed and Alter Bridge). They seem a little superfluous given Sevendust’s already established position in the alternative metal world, and the guests don’t add much to the album.

Along with the unnecessary guests, Sevendust also display an obvious deviation from their traditional style. Their sound steps beyond the boundaries of alternative metal and becomes disappointingly soft. The tracks alternate between old fashioned classical rock and self-indulgent rock ballads.

Having said this, it’s an enthusiastic offering, and the tracks don’t lose momentum, right up until the last track. If you’re a Sevendust fan, this is an important album to listen to, if not just for its change in pace, but for the fact that it is the last of their albums to feature Sonny Mayo before the return of former guitarist and vocalist, Clint Lowery.

2/5

Review by Helen Williams
 Band Members
Sevendust - Band
Lajon Witherspoon (Lead Vocals)
John Connolly (Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals)
Clint Lowery (Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals)
Vincent Hornsby (Bass, Acoustic Bass, Vocals)
Morgan Rose (Drums, Vocals, Live Bongo)
 Track Listing
1. Inside
2. Enough
3. Hope
4. Scapegoat
5. Fear
6. The Past
7. Prodigal Son
8. Lifeless
9. Sorrow
10. Contradiction
11. Walk Away
 Band Related Links
Sevendust Myspace
 Review Score Code
- Top Cheese
- Brilliant
- Pretty damn good
- Ok I guess
- What Was That?