Estimated reading time: 2 minute(s)

★★☆☆ I’ve gotta tell you: this album starts out strong. The production is top-notch, and when the band cut loose, they’re heavy as fuck. And then they go and get all experimental. Some of the experiments pay off (the Rush-like “Criminal Conversations”, featuring In This Moment’s Maria Brink is the album’s high water mark), and some don’t (“Want It All”, “Revolución”). Two other issues: 1) the nu-metal sprechstimme is as dated as it ever was, and 2) for a concept album, the concept here is pretty flimsy. Still, all in all this is worth a listen. If you’re in a hurry, stick with tracks 1, 3, 4, and 5 (in other words, the first half of the album, minus the regrettable single on track 2).

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