Godsmack

US 2023 press.
1990s nu-metallurgists Godsmack caused a stir when they released their major label debut in '98, thanks to its fervent overuse of occult imagery and references to "Salem witches", coupled with its conspicuous lack of a parental advisory sticker on the physical release. It's a shame that do-good parents of the world can't see past the irony of such publicity grabs and lighten up a little; as Godsmack is a great, guttural, cathartic studio debut, which we see as no coincidence ended up being the project to cement their name, after the less patrimonial projects to precede it. A staple of the vocally lower-registered ends of the genre, which nonetheless indulge a screamier side, highlights on our end have to include 'Immune' and 'Stress', which more than justify this double LP reissue.