Nonpoint
Album Title: Nonpoint
Record Label: Rocket Science
Review by Aaron Manogue
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Nonpoint - Nonpoint
Anyone who’s ever been to a Nonpoint concert can agree that their “in your face, knock you out” stage presence is something every self titled concert enthusiast or rocker needs to experience. This is the energy most Nonpoint fans have been begging of the band to bring to their albums. And with their latest album release Miracle, they bring their ass kicking off the stage and into your home. The former nu metallers have transitioned into a hard rock feel, which serves as a perfect new weapon for them to launch their music into listener’s eardrums.
From the opening song “Shadow,” guitarist Zach Broderick, who replaced Andrew Goldman as the bands lead guitarist, brings a much thicker hard rock sound to Nonpoint in comparison to Goldman’s previous recordings with the band. The gritty riffs accompany vocalist Elias Soriano’s smooth-as-silk chords perfectly and drummer Robb Rivera’s beats carry the heart beat of the album triumphantly throughout. The energy stays in orbit with the title track “Miracle” which features guest vocals by Mudvayne/Hellyeah frontman Chad Gray who produced the album along with guitarist Greg Tribett.
The next few songs tap the breaks a bit on the train that is Miracle transitioning into a middle of the tracks pace with “Crazy” and a song most likely written for our beloved troops “Frontlines.” One of the bright spots along the way in this album is the inclusion of Nonpoint’s cover of the mighty Pantera’s “5 Minues Alone” which the band originally recorded as an online bonus track for legendary shredder “Dimebag” Darrel Abbott’s Tribute Album.
The absolute epitome of Nonpoint’s new hard rock sound is the intensity they portray in the song “Dangerous Waters.” Warning: Head banging is required when listening to this song. There’s even a short yet extremely addictive solo in the song which just adds to the hard rock feel, something that is for the most part non-existent in pre-Broderick Nonpoint music. The song seems to serve as Broderick’s introduction to us all and his stamp on the band is heard loud and clear.
Having followed Nonpoint throughout their careers, this is possibly their best album, deservedly right up there with my personal favorite To the Pain. Traditional Nonpoint fans won’t be begging for their old Nonpoint back, because it’s still clearly evident in the new album. Self proclaimed Nonpoint critics will have to do their best to resist the burning urge to tip their caps to the band for their new efforts and ass kicking they’ll experience once they hear Miracle. It’ll be a Miracle if the same critics can also resist the urge to go buy the album.
DON’T MISS NONPOINT SUNDAY ON THE JJO STAGE AT TASTE OF MADISON!
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