12 Stones
Anthem For The Underdog

After a well-deserved break and a long tour promoting their previous two albums, 12 Stones return with a new work: "Anthem for the Underdog." The album was influenced by the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, which struck Louisiana, the band's birthplace. They stated they feel "like underdogs in the music industry." Hence the album's title.

The nu-metal guitars, adrenaline-pumping and fast tracks, and the voice of singer "Paul McCoy" alternating between melodic and screamed parts—those expecting all this will certainly be disappointed. The power and aggression that characterized the previous two albums give way to a more introspective, melancholic, and reflective atmosphere, where melody dominates rather than the frantic guitars. This is the strength of this work, which for some might be too slow but actually flows by without ever boring the listener. It begins with "Anthem For The Underdog," a fairly powerful piece but not as exciting compared to the following "Lie To Me," the first single released. A beautiful song, a classic rock ballad that sticks in your mind and you can't stop singing. McCoy sings with extraordinary intensity, which can also be heard in "Broken Road," which is, in my opinion, the gem of the album, one of the most beautiful tracks ever written by 12 Stones. Captivating and melancholic with an initial arpeggio that mesmerizes the listener; McCoy's high notes, also found in other tracks on the album, are chilling and highlight all his talent. Then it moves to "Adrenalina," finally a hard, danceable piece, but it resembles a Nickelback song in an impressive way. Another stunning and emotional ballad is the sweet and romantic "It Was You," which has a lot of American TV series vibes and, despite its simplicity, you can't help but appreciate it: tear-jerking. The excellent "This Dark Day" is the darkest and gloomiest track of the album, but even here a keen listener cannot overlook the incredible resemblance to Staind's style. "World So Cold" reprises the dark sound of the previous track, while "Arms Of A Stranger" is a classic 12 Stones style piece, powerful and melodic at the same time. "Hey Love," a piece with more classic rock sounds, stands out for the beautiful guitar solo layered over the excellent drumming. It closes with the aggressive "Games You Play" and the acoustic version of "Lie To Me."

Overall, a good album, with a sound typically post-grunge. Nothing new really, and some might say it's lacking in originality. They could have focused more on riffs and solos because when they try, they show they have skills. However, I recommend rock fans listen to this work because it contains some worth-listening tracks. Moreover, all the tracks are interpreted by McCoy in a masterful way. The guitarist Eric Weaver is also very good with his excellent arpeggios. The other band members, new guitarist Justin Remer and bassist DJ Stange, integrate well, although a special mention, in my opinion, deserves the brilliant and always impeccable and precise Aaron Gainer on drums. 12 Stones have talent and, as usual, nobody talks about them in Italy. Too much space is given to established bands, even when they propose mediocre work (see Korn's latest album). If you're tired of the usual summer filled with "dance" and "fake pop" that haunts you, if you can't stand promoters inviting you to clubs to (listen to) the DJ of the moment, then this album is for you. A bit of healthy modern rock to cleanse your ears from the summer's "acoustic" pollution.