As of March 27th, Shinedown is back in the saddle and back on shelves with their newest release, Amaryllis.
Based out of Jacksonville, Florida, Shinedown has garnered worldwide success and recognition since their original formation in 2002, and the success continues to mount with each passing year. Consisting of vocalist Brent Smith, guitarist Zach Myers, bassist Eric Bass, and drummer Barry Kerch, Shinedown has become a monolith in the hard rock and alternative rock scene.
It has been almost four years since the release of Shinedown’s platinum and award winning third album, The Sound of Madness. With five singles that received a great deal of air time on numerous radio stations, including both the multi-platinum single “Second Chance” and gold single “If You Only Knew”, The Sound of Madness was certified as Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 2010 for selling over 1,000,000 copies.
Needless to say, Shinedown is hard-pressed to match or even surpass their former success. However, if any album can accomplish this, it would surely be their fourth studio album, Amaryllis.
About the album, front man and songwriter Brent Smith has been quoted as saying, “I’ve always seen Shinedown as its own entity – this living thing that’s been growing and developing and evolving over the past 10 years. During the recording, the vision of what Shinedown is and where it’s going became completely clear. ‘Amaryllis’ is the manifestation of that vision, the centerpiece of what Shinedown is. It reflects on everything we’ve done and where we’re heading. It’s a message of empowerment, perseverance, and inspiration that I think speaks to fans that have been with us since the beginning as well as those who are just learning about who we are and what we’re about. I can’t wait for the world to hear it.”
There are a total of 12 tracks on the album. The opening track, “Adrenaline”, sends its namesake straight through the listener, getting the blood pumping and sending the album right into overdrive — all with the first song. Following is the lead single, “Bully”. Filled with angst and a desire to overcome oppression, “Bully” is a song for anyone that has ever been put down and felt the need to revolt against persecutors and bullies. The title track, “Amaryllis,” is a beautiful song that is typical of Shinedown’s soft rock and alternative style that has won them recognition in the past.
“Unity” is a powerful and infectious anthem that works its way deep into the sinews of the heart, waving a banner of passion and tolerance. “Enemies” follows suite with such past songs as “Cry for Help” and “Devour,” with fast-paced instrumentals and anger-riddled lyrics combining to create an onslaught of hard rock, head-banging music. Following “Enemies” is the song “I’m Not Alright,” an intriguing tune that views the idea of normalcy and stability as being unneeded and that adversity and peculiarity make a person know that they are alive.
“Nowhere Kids” is a ball of energy just waiting to explode, with lyrics that show contempt for the social media and its effects on the public and its youth. “Miracle” and “I’ll Follow You” are both beautiful ballads. With an enthralling chorus and gorgeous lyrics, “Miracle” warms the soul. “I’ll Follow You” has an underlying essence of the rhythm and blues genre, and Brent Smith’s voice has a great deal of ‘soul’ to it. Both songs stand as exquisite testaments to the powers and influences love can have on the spirit.
Following the ballads of the album is a song that does a complete 180 degree turn. “For My Sake” is an emotion-driven song of moving on and severing the ties to a less than perfect relationship. The pain and the heartbreak that comes with the end of any powerful bond are harnessed with this emotive song. “My Name (Wearing Me Out)” is by far the most aggressive and possibly controversial song Shinedown has performed to date. A declaration of fury, this song contains the usage of the ‘f- bomb’ numerous times, a word that is rarely heard from a band such as this. Although it breaks from Shinedown’s typical repertoire, “My Name (Wearing Me Out)” is, nevertheless, a well-fashioned tune.
Wrapping up the album is “Through the Ghost,” by far the slowest and softest song on Amaryllis. This song makes for an intriguing end to the album, as it deviates greatly from the widely rock-influenced album, and utilizes acoustic guitars laced with the chiming of bells and thunderous percussion to create a song with an alternative feel to it.
Amaryllis is an album that is bound to go the distance in the music scene, propelling Shinedown further into popularity and fame. With this album, Shinedown finds themselves broadening their musical style, using a widely more hard-rock sound than ever before. Listening through the entirety of the album, one can detect a newfound ‘edge’ in the tones and lyrics of what Shinedown offers up with Amaryllis. Future Shinedown classics are bound to include such songs as “Adrenaline,” “Unity,” “Amaryllis,” and “I’ll Follow You.” Shinedown is blooming further with this newest album, and the petals are far from ever wilting.
Ratings:
“Adrenaline” – 10/10
“Bully” – 7/10
“Amaryllis” – 9/10
“Unity” – 10/10
“Enemies” – 8/10
“I’m Not Alright” – 9/10
“Nowhere Kids” – 7/10
“Miracle” – 8/10
“I’ll Follow You” – 10/10
“For My Sake” – 9/10
“My Name (Wearing Me Out)” – 9/10
“Through the Ghost” – 8/10