Drowning Pool
Drowning Pool
Eleven Seven Music

There’s still no sign of another sure-fire moshpit filler to the standard of ‘Bodies’… sorry. Signature songs aside, Drowning Pool’s latest, self titled album should give fans a hell of a lot to be happy about. The band’s slickest, most professional work to date, ‘Drowning Pool’ sees the US four-piece let their radio-friendly instincts run wild, tracks like ‘Horns Up’ and ‘Children Of The Gun’ providing the uncomplicated kicks that we’ve come to expect from them, while singer Ryan McCombs (DP’s third singer, who was also part of Soil during their glory days) channels much of his recent adversity into the heartfelt, if overwrought ‘Over My Head’ and ‘More Than Worthless’.

In fact, McCombs has really put his own stamp on this record, his muscular, slightly wearying vocal style giving some sense of authenticity and heart to what could otherwise have become yet another unremarkable alt-metal record. His muscular, all-American growl can become tiresome after a while, and like the other aspects of Drowning Pool’s sound there’s little originality to be found in his contributions, but ultimately that doesn’t take away from a solid, consistent vocal job. C.J. Pierce has cooked up a few more decent riffs, Stevie Benton chugs away on the bass, and Mike Luce is a steadying force behind the drums… it’s all decent, not spectacular.

For those who’ve followed Drowning Pool through the years this is a must hear, certainly the best thing they’ve come up with in a long while. For everyone else there’s little reason to pay too much notice, unless you’re hankering after some meaty radio-metal, missing the angsty overlords of noughties-era heaviness. If you do give it a go, make sure you play it loud. This is a neighbour-botherer of the highest calibre, we suspect.

Buy this album from AMAZON

Review by Rob Sayce