Shinedown - The Sound Of Madness
Do you ever get that feeling that a great band has passed you by for ages and then you hear a song by them and wonder what the hell you have been playing at by not really giving them a chance. Well Shinedown are my newest ‘should have checked them out earlier’ band.
Brent Smith’s vocals are nothing short of addictive; he has one of those strong, gravely voices that I think I’d love to have if I was a bloke and the classic rock guitar hooks complete with thrashing drums just make The Sound Of Madness one of the greatest rock singles I’ve heard in 2009. Yes really.
I love the catchy anthemic chorus, which manages to retain everything you need from a great metal track whilst still knocking your socks clean off, and (if you have a hot man to hand) qu8ite possibly anything else you have on at that given time.
The last line of the chorus is perfectly poignant at the moment; “You can sleep with a gun, when you gonna wake up and fight for yourself?†and it’s a great closing line to such a powerful chorus that I can really see being chanted on the 2009 festival circuit.
One thing’s for sure, if this is the Sound Of Madness, admit me into the local psych ward because I’m all over these guys this year!
Rating: 5/5 - My new favourite driving song!