Away Team

DARK NEW DAY- New Tradition

Goomba Music

Rating: 9 out of 10

Reviewed By: Jay Rybak

Take one cup Virgo’s Merlot, add one part Eye Empire, mix in two parts Evanescence, topped off with a pinch of Sevendust, and you have the mind-numbing rock recipe that is DARK NEW DAY.  The supergroup consisting of vocalist Brett Hestla (Virgo’s Merlot), drummer Will Hunt (Evanescence), guitarists Troy McLawhorn (Evanescence) and Clint Lowery (Sevendust), and Corey Lowery (Eye Empire/Stereomud) on bass, are about to release their highly anticipated sophomore release, New Tradition on Feb. 28th.  The album has been five years in the making, and believe me it was worth the wait.

The opening track, “Fist From The Sky”, rips into your ears with the finger-bleeding bass and gritty guitar reminiscent of early Down.  As we delve further into “New Tradition”, we find the killer up-tempo rocker that is “I Don’t Need You”, a masterful sonic blend of STP meets Default.  Other highlights along the way include the title track, and “Tremendous”, by now I’m rocking out so hard I’m fit to be tied.  What a coincidence, here comes the “Straightjacket”, a track that, if one didn’t know any better, could easily be mistaken for Whitfield Crane’s bridge from Ugly Kid Joe to Another Animal. 

Now on to the three way tie for my favorite songs on the album.  Is that a new Taproot song I hear?  No, it’s way better.  “Caught In The Light” has a “Hello Taproot, meet your far superior evil twin” feel to it that can’t be ignored.  Nor should it be.  Enter the next contender, “Fiend”, this is pure Sevendust meets Sixx A.M.  Enough said.  You want radio friendly?  You got it.  While the entire album is somewhat radio friendly, and moreso kick-ass, “Breakdown” screams rock radio staple.

This album comes very highly recommended.  Don’t be the inferior evil twin, get your ass to your local record store on Feb. 28th and pick up your copy.  Or if you’re too busy plotting and scheming you can pre-order it here.