Nearly a decade after the fall of nu-metal, Godsmack stands triumphant. Korn is on the nostalgia circuit and Limp Bizkit can’t decide if they want to be a band or not. Godsmack has their second number one album. They remain the only relevant band of the TRL-metal era. They should be commended for this achievement.
The first Godsmack album is one of the best examples of the nu-metal era. At a time when guitars were used as rhythmic instruments, Godsmack’s traditional hard rock approach was refreshing. Since nu-metal has retreated to the background, Godsmack is just another mainstream hard rock band.
The Oracle is like a piece of meat that has been overcooked and left under a heat lamp for five hours. There is absolutely no taste, flavor, or color. This is as bland as hard rock gets. Every song follows the same beige formula. The song titles read like a roll call of badass clichés: “Crying Like a Bitch,” “Good Day to Die,” “Saints and Sinners,” “War and Peace.” The guitars are heavy, but not so heavy that they would alienate program directors. They chug along as Sully Erna bleats some lyrics about pain or something. Then there is a bridge to the chorus, which is slightly louder than the chorus. Add a couple wanktastic solos, and you have The Oracle.
After listening to The Oracle several times, I couldn’t recall a riff, a lyric or a solo. This is the problem with many mainstream hard rock bands. Godsmack has earned the right to tinker with their sound. They could experiment with loud and soft dynamics. Erna could try to lower his voice to add some shading. The guitar solos could be less arena rock influenced and slightly more technical. But they don’t. They are coasting on the goodwill of a couple dynamite singles, and their fans have been duped by it.
The saddest part of Oracle should have been a neat moment. Near the beginning of the title track, the band plays a few notes from Metallica’s “Call of Ktulu.” This is an inspired musical allusion, and it grabbed my attention. However, instead of applauding Godsmack for their subtlety, I couldn’t stop thinking about Ride the Lightning.
Godsmack should be an interesting band. Their lead singer is a devout Wiccan. That’s so metal! They make references to it, but they aren’t exploiting it. They aren’t bad musicians either. The guitars play in tandem nicely and the rhythm section is solid. They don’t know how to escape radio rock purgatory.
If any Godsmack fans are reading this, you are probably saying to yourself, “Well that’s all fine and good John, but I just want to rock out.”
I understand. Rocking out is an exhilarating feeling; I do it daily. However, there are better things to rock out to. How about The Wildhearts or Hanoi Rocks? Thin Lizzy? AC/DC? Even the first Godsmack album would be a better choice. The Oracle claims to know all and see all, but it hasn’t left 1999.
