Godsmack Album: “Godsmack [PA]”

Yes it's true that Godsmack's influence spectrum is vast, but this foursome probably listened to these influential greats (Metallica, Alice in chains etc.) and created their own bigger and better sound to become gods of their own rage-energetic realm. This sound is alive. Not even to talk about Sully's well balanced voice seamlessly integrating with Tony's aggressive and rhythm-hungry six stringer. Their lyrics adds a further spark to the already rock solid sound. This CD has attitude written all over it. Sully, Robbie, Tony and Tommy...we salute you.

Godsmack are an awesome band, but they somehow picked up a reputation of being Alice In Chains wannabes. I do detect an AIC influence, but there is an equal influence from bands like Metallica, Tool, and White Zombie in their sound. However, they have the ability to take their influences and create an aggressive, energetic sound all their own.

Frontman Sully Erna's vocals are often very intense and confrontational, which sets them apart from their influences. Many of the songs seem to express anger toward someone, possibly an ex-girlfriend, with the resolution often being telling them to "go away". They do this in many of their songs, which might annoy some people, but I personally find it to be stress relieving. Tony's innovative guitar work (he actually can play lead, which many popular rock bands nowadays are not capable of doing) and the well oiled rhythm machine compliment the vocals and awesome songwriting perfectly. The best songs on the album (good to crank up when you're in a bad mood) are "Whatever", "Keep Away", "Time Bomb", "Bad Religion", and "Get Up, Get Out". Highly recommended if you are tired of all the trendy rock that permeates the airwaves.

Godsmack is a great guitar band. They are not complicated or technical they just plain pound out great riffs. It's nice to hear a band that doesn't try to play a million miles an hour and still manage to have great pounding rythms. If you tossed Alice in Chains and Metallica in a blender you get Godsmack. That's what I hear anyways. I can hear their influences very clearly. If you like metal with rythm get this cd. Oh, they also have one of the best distortion sounds I've heard from a metal band. Great band!

I had high hopes for this band and I wasn't disappointed. Tracks like Moon Baby, Whatever, Keep Away, Time Bomb and Get Up Get Out show their heavy side, while stuff like Voodoo show they have a soft side. It's got some great tracks (like the ones I just mentioned), and other's that are still good, but don't compare to the rest, like Immune or Now Or Never.

Moon Baby: A really great opener. One of the best on here, but I prefer the first half of it. 5/5.

Whatever: A fun song to listen to with a cool riff. A lot of people like this the best. 5/5.

Keep Away: My personal favorite. The riff is very exceptional. At this point in the CD I am completely hooked. 5/5.

Time Bomb: Another awesome song with some cool guitar effects in the intro part. Now I think this CD is too good to be true. 5/5.

Bad Religion: This is when the CD starts to fall a little bit. A good song but lacks some depth, and they could have expanded the riff a bit. 4/5.

Immune: One of the weaker on here. 3/5.

Someone In London: A little instrumental track falling just above two above two minutes. Fun to listen too, though. 3/5.

Get Up, Get Off: The song that "upped" the second half of the CD. Great song. 5/5.

Now Or Never: Another weak one, but still good. 3/5.

Stress: The other song that made the second half almost as good as the first. The intro is the best. 5/5.

Situation: An okay track, but nothing really special. 3/5.

Voodoo: The slow song on here, but still great, it's got a really good harmony. 5/5.

Overall, an excellent CD (with only a couple tracks lacking something) and I can't wait for the next.

Godsmack is a band I really paid no attention to for years, even though I knew the name. Well, recently I found this album for pennies, and figured I'd check it out. Of course, after many listens I wish I'd gotten it back when. It really is a great rock album. I wouldn't call it original, but still great. To my ears this sounds like a mesh of Metallica and Alice In Chains, as some have stated before. Both awesome bands so no biggie. "Whatever" was a hit, "Bad Religion" should have been it's that good, and many others are strong as well. I'll admit my favorite is still the closer "Voodoo", but that's because it just such a damn creepy cool song. There's also a decent hidden track that's rather simple and short. Overall I'd call it a must for any fan of metal or grunge. Especially for pennies.