For those of you who are hip to the band's previous efforts, I don't think "Shadows" will disappoint, although it does feature more a Thrash Metal style with a splash of in-your-face Punk Rock attitude as opposed to Metalcore. This is very evident on tracks like "Meaning In Tragedy" and "Empty Hearts". The guitar riffs are extraordinarily monstrous and the backbeat resembles that of a shark attack! Oh hell yes, it has that Slayer/Celtic Frost feel. The vocals on the previously mentioned songs are abit more extreme and dance dangerously close to the edge of Death Metal tyranny. "Confined" quickly resembles the Metalcore side of the band with chugging guitar riffs and methodical breakdowns. The only part of the song where they lose me is in the chorus, the soft vocals don't move me at all. It may be the fact that they sound similar to Davey Havok of AFI, which I don't like, but it doesn't ruin the song. "Losing Sight" drags you right back down into the pits of extreme, with Speed Metal drumwork and gut-crushing guitar riffs that slam like a ton of bricks and all the while, the vocals seem to scream out in pain for attention. The track "Reflection" appears to be the best, structurally, on the album. The melody lines are infallible and the rhythm section is tighter than ever. Here again the vocals are phenomenal, growling and screaming reminiscent of In Flames, At The Gates and few other Swedish Titans. It's not everyday you find a song on an album this heavy that has an infinite sadness to it, "Repeating Yesterday" fits that description perfectly. It's a thinking man's song, with very few lyrics, but damn the lyrics here are heavy. To go along with the deep thoughts, are melodic guitar riffs, leads and strangely enough, vocals. The piano piece at the end of the song adds further to the tragedy of it all. Every track is ferocious, well structured and well written.

If you are planning on getting your carcass out in the blazing heat this summer at the Ozzfest, make it worth your while and head over to the second stage and check these guys out. If they're half as good live as they are on cd, they'll blow your fucking mind! If As I Lay Dying isn't a household name already, this release coupled with their spot on Ozzfest, will make them one. Don't take my word for it though, see for yourself.