All I See Is War With Autographed CD Booklet

Music unifies us when we need unification the most. It gives people a reason to put differences aside and come together.

In 1994, Sevendust first forged a familial tie amongst each other that translated into one of the most diehard audiences in the game. To this day, the connection between fans and the GRAMMY Award-nominated, gold-certified hard rock outfit only grows stronger. For their twelfth full-length and first release for Rise Records, All I See Is War, the quintetLajon Witherspoon [lead vocals], Clint Lowery [lead guitar, backing vocals], John Connolly [rhythm guitar, backing vocals], Vince Hornsby [bass], and Morgan Rose [drums]did the best thing they could possibly do to combat all of the division in the streets and on social media.

As Connolly puts it, they simply made a Sevendust record.

Were as polarized as weve ever been, he continues. Discussion is not happening. Everyone is so quick to snap online. Were not listening. Were just talking. In these songs, we dont sugarcoat whats going on. For as dark as the subject matter may be, its about hope. We know we can be in a better spot, because weve seen so many different individuals come together around music.

We take pride in the connection we have, adds Lowery. Weve always been a peoples band. Were typical guys who just happen to make a career on stage. With this relationship to the fans, we realize how much we need each other, so we push ourselves to deliver. We dont stop. We keep moving.

At the top of 2017, the boys discussed what would become their next offering. Instead of diving right in, they took advantage of an eight-month writing process, which proved to be a breath of fresh air.

Without a doubt, it mightve been the longest writing process weve had for any project other than the first one, affirms Connolly. We didnt need to hop in the studio and punch out a record in a month. We wanted to bring our A-game.

After sessions in their native Atlanta and at Lowerys spot in St. Louis, the group headed down to Orlando in order to record at Studio Barbarosa with Michael Elvis Baskette [Alter Bridge, Trivium, Slash]. Over the years, they maintained a friendship with the producer amplified by the praises of longtime comrades Alter Bridge and Connolly whose Projected utilized his mixing talents on their debut.

However, this would be Sevendusts first time working with him.

The energy was great, smiles Witherspoon. At one point, I did seven songs in four days. He really challenged me as a vocalist. We all just gelled. Weve always talked about doing something for years and years. It was a long time coming. From the first moment we walked into his house, you could feel it. There hadnt been another band who lived there before. We capitalized on the meeting of the minds. It was a brotherhood.

We havent had a producer since Cold Day Memory, Clint goes on. Elvis was so hands-on. He made us try new transitions and step up our game. Sonically, he opened up a lot of doors that I dont think we wouldve gone through if he hadnt been there. We preserved the essence of what we are, but we took chances. Lyrically, we captured what weve gone through, all of the rough times, and the changes.

They introduce All See Is War with the opener and first single Dirty. Pummeling drums and driving distortion underscore a soulful proclamation from Witherspoon as he croons, Im no stranger to this thing called war. The guitars crescendo into an expansive refrain that immediately imprints itself before a hummable solo.

I freestyled that first line, recalls Witherspoon. Its something I havent done since Angels Son. I think it set the tone for the whole thing. It was pretty magic.

Someone wants to see you fail, and it really aggravates this person that youre persevering and surviving anyway, explains Lowery. The lyric Im gonna die whole means not being extinguished, getting through, and pissing off your enemies.

The neck-snapping guttural groove of Meidcated gives way to another unshakable chant.

The subject matter is a bit different, states Connolly. Porcupine Trees Fear of a Blank Planet is arguably one of my favorite records. The idea is similar to Andromeda. These pharmaceutical companies have made it so everyone is hooked on something. You dont even know why youre on these medications. All of last years horrific suicides were linked to a pill. Think about the opioid crisis. It asks, Can we just stop?

Slyly nodding to Lowerys love for Stranger Things, Not Original thrives on airy, cinematic guitars that unfurl into one of Witherspoons bluesiest and boldest performances.

We wanted to get into some new territory, elaborates Lowery. Its about being in a dry spell and not able to find creativity. You dont want to repeat yourself. I thought Id go for this new wave thing, because I was watching a lot of Stranger Things.

Nailing the old school vibe, Risen drops a hard-hitting and hypnotic hook thats primed to set festivals ablaze. Youre down and out looking for hope, explains Connolly. You ask the question, Are you going to kick me while Im still down, or are you going to help me stand up and get through this?

In the end, thats what the music of Sevendust does. It empowers listeners, lifts them up, and lets them know theyre part of the family.

This band means family to me, Witherspoon leaves off. I wake up and cant believe this is what I do for a living. I still feel like that 20-year-old kid who signed a record deal a zillion years ago. Sevendust is also home. Even though weve been doing this forever, it feels like the beginning.

This what we are, concludes Connolly. Its just another new version of Sevendust.