Reviewed by Ian Webber

With over 15 years at the top of their genre and seven successful previous albums, you could be forgiven for assuming that you knew exactly what these Californian rockers had to offer. You may, however, want to hold back judgment as although this is not groundbreaking, many things within the group have changed direction. Following the dramatic conversion of their lead singer and songwriter Jacoby Shaddix, the focus of the lyrics has certainly changed. Although some of their songs still convey pain and brokenness many are suffused with hope. And although the odd expletive creeps into the narrative, the overall tone is one of vulnerability and honesty. The music too throws up a few surprises. Gone are the nu metal rap sections and the tracks sound rich, classy and properly grown up. Atmospheric guitars chop and play over one another in well-crafted fashion over some sumptuously big drum sounds. There are no fillers amongst the 12 cuts on offer, most containing choruses that are more like anthems and flow from one song to the next making this feel like a classic rock album of old. Highlights include the radio-friendly "Broken As Me" with its brooding, spat verses and "War Over Me" that features layered synths to underpin glossy metal. Without completely reinventing themselves Papa Roach have delivered a package which puts them up there with the top bands conveying spiritual truth.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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