Album review

It can be said some bands truly embody a certain spirit or emotion. Without a doubt, Massachusetts long running chuggernauts, The Acacia Strain, truly embody anger. And that shows more than ever on their new full-length, Wormwood. The band s sound and vibe are more ferocious then ever on this, their fourth full-length for Prosthetic Records and fifth overall.

Even the success of their previous full-length, Continent , which debuted at #2 on Billboard s Heatseekers chart in 2008 and their DVD, The Most Known Unknown , which debuted at #10 on Billboard s Top Video Sales Chart in early 2009, has not assuaged front man and lyricist Vincent Bennett s turmoil.

For Wormwood , the band returned to the scene of the creation of Continent , producer Zeuss Planet Z Studio in Hadley, MA where he s previously worked with the likes of label mates All That Remains, Hatebreed, The Red Chord, and more, where he engineered, mixed and mastered the slab of vitriol. This time around, we find guitarist D.L. experimenting with 8 string guitars, adding further depth and low end to the band s already stomach turning low end sound.

The band will be appearing on this summer s inaugural Cool Tour with As I Lay Dying, Underoath, Between the Buried and Me, Blessthefall, Architects, Cancer Bats and War of Ages. The band s extensive tour history has seen them on the road with acts such as Underoath, Bleeding Through, Killswitch Engage, Despised Icon and August Burns Red among many more and appeared on The Sounds of the Underground Tour, as well.