File Under: Rock/Metal rating: B+ tracks 1. T.O.A.B. 2. Praise Rose 3. Trust Lowery 4. Crucified Rose 5. Xmas Day 6. Dead Set 7. Shine 8. Follow Connolly 9. Damaged Connolly 10. Live Again Rose 11. Beautiful Lowery 12. Redefine Rose 13. Angel's Son related links Sevendust

On Sevendust’s third album, the potential of their earlier efforts are realized. While the first two albums were strong, Animosity features excellent songwriting throughout as well as more complex arrangements than either Home or their self-titled debut. While many of the current crop of metal bands attempt daring leaps from the melodic to percussive riffing and screaming, let’s face it, very few singers have the chops to pull it off. Lajon Witherspoon possesses one of the few voices in metal capable of this jump, and it’s one of the reasons Sevendust stands heads and shoulders above similar bands. From the bottom up, Animosity delivers the goods. Replete with the familiar heavy riffing of the first two albums, Animosity opens up loud and mean with Tits On A Boar, featuring some angry call-and-answer vocals. Drop-tuned guitars often get lost in the mix, but on Praise, Crucified, and Shine, dual guitar parts and excellent arrangements provide plenty of space and dynamics that speak of maturity and growth as a band. Morgan Rose’s drumming is stellar as usual and Vince Hornsby holds down the bottom end tastefully. Live Again, Angel’s Son, and Follow showcase Witherspoon’s vocal prowess. Animosity shows bands can continue to grow without abandoning their sound and catering to popular trends.

John Rovnan is a staff writer. Contact him at jrovnan@rockzone.com.