Lamb of God revives ‘Ashes of the Wake’ with anniversary reissue and tour

As a long-time fan of Lamb of God, I am thrilled to see the band marking the 20th anniversary of their iconic album “Ashes of the Wake” with a major reissue and an anniversary tour co-headlining with Mastodon. This is a momentous occasion for any metalhead, as this album holds a special place in the hearts of many fans, myself included.


To put it simply, Lamb of God is celebrating the 20th anniversary of their album “Ashes of the Wake” in a big way. They’re teaming up with Mastodon for a co-headlining tour named “Ashes of Leviathan,” and they also have plans to release a major reissue of the original album.

To put it another way, beginning August 30, a commemorative 20th anniversary version of “Ashes of the Wake” will hit the shelves. This updated release boasts an enticing assortment of fresh takes, unreleased demos, and electrifying live performances of the album’s legendary tracks. Noteworthy contributors to this edition include HEALTH, Justin K Broadrick (renowned for his Godflesh and Jesu collaborations), as well as Kublai Khan TX and Malevolence. A notable addition to the collection is “Another Nail for Your Coffin,” now enhanced with contributions from Kublai Khan TX and Malevolence.

An revamped take on the song breathes fresh, vigorous life into the originally overlooked bonus track from Lamb of God. Guitarist Mark Morton shares his enthusiasm for the revitalized piece, stating, “I’m thrilled to witness ‘Another Nail For Your Coffin’ being reborn! This song has always held a special place in Lamb of God’s discography, but it hasn’t received much attention due to its bonus track status. Matt and Alex brought intense modern energy to this updated version, making the flames they spit even more fierce. I’m pleased to see this overlooked tune finally getting the recognition it deserves!”

Morton additionally published a memoir with the remark, “It felt much the same as producing my initial solo album – I merely wanted to check if I was capable of doing it.”

Why did Lamb of God redo some of their songs?

Regarding the topic of re-singing our old songs, Randy Blythe, the lead singer, expressed, “I generally don’t favor re-recording our previous work – old tunes represent where we were as a band at that moment in time. However, when the proposition arose for a guest artist to take over my vocals on ‘Another Nail For Your Coffin,’ I was fully on board. This was particularly appealing if we could secure two up-and-coming heavy music stars to inject new energy into the track. Anyone who has witnessed Malevolence or Kublai Khan TX perform knows that Alex and Matt deliver powerfully – it’s a privilege to have these talented individuals breathe life into the song again, 20 years after we initially recorded it.”

Previously, Lamb of God collaborated with other bands on projects similar to this one; for instance, they joined forces with Megadeth several years ago to create a cover version of “Wake Up Dead” together.

More about Lamb of God

Since its inception in 1994, formerly as Burn the Priest, Lamb of God is a prominent American heavy metal act recognized for its intense sound and virtuosic musicianship. Unlike certain metal groups, they prioritize composing strong songs over pure obscurity. The band has earned a Grammy nod (in 2016) with their track “512” and is now a key figure in the New Wave of American Heavy Metal scene.

In 2004, Lamb of God unveiled their fourth studio album, Ashes of the Wake, which is often seen as a turning point in their musical journey. This release significantly boosted their reputation within the metal genre. The original recording lineup for this album consisted of Randy Blythe on vocals, Mark Morton and Willie Adler handling the guitars, John Campbell on the bass, and Chris Adler behind the drums. Some standout tunes from this album include “Laid to Rest,” “Now You’ve Got Something to Die For,” and the title track, “Ashes of the Wake.”

As a dedicated gamer and music enthusiast, I can’t help but be in awe of that iconic album. Its intricate melodies, heavy riffs, and thought-provoking lyrics resonate deeply with me, reflecting the band’s strong stance against the Iraq War. And let me tell you, their recent reissue and tour have only added fuel to their already blazing fire. Lamb of God continues to leave an indelible mark on the metal scene with their electrifying live shows and ever-evolving sound.

Over the years, they’ve gained a loyal following and praise from critics by combining innovation with respect for heavy metal’s foundations. Amidst the continued popularity of “American Idol,” their unique blend is more valuable than ever.

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2024-07-23 21:01