Following up on their last album ‘Attention Attention’ which was released back in 2018, Shinedown are back. With a mega concept album of 20 tracks ‘Planet Zero’ is everything that fans have been waiting for, me included!
The album starts with a short synthesised instrumental intro that would be at home on any 80s hard rock track. This leads into “No Sleep Tonight” which is an incredibly highly energised track with a super catchy chorus. The title track is more reminiscent of the sound that we have grown to love with Shinedown with its much heavier and driving riffs. While the chorus is much more melodic in comparison to the rest of the track, giving it a perfect balance. However, this is all just an introduction and dystopian warning of the dangerous consequences to come when it all goes too far in the latest journey created by Shinedown. Throughout the album, there are interludes from the character Cyren who is an insidious and unsettling robot who assists your journey in the world created on the album. This world is the band’s take on authoritarianism and is delivered through heavy, driving tracks such as “Dead Don’t Die” and “America Burning”. It’s not all dark however as the band provide a feeling of hope and change with tracks such as “Symptom Of Being Human” and the aptly titled “Hope”. These take a much softer sound creating a clear difference between the more ferocious and controversial tracks giving the story its depth. The last section of the album takes the buildup to its final chapter and rises up. This sees humans take back control of their thoughts and Cyren dysfunctioning to deletion. The album ends perfectly with the cheery track “What you Wanted” which channels the need for change to avoid a world that imitates that of Planet Zero.
While concept albums are not new to Shinedown, this may be their biggest and possibly most controversial yet. Through the power of music, they have created something that is truly thought-provoking in its lyrics while never letting up on these being great tracks that are catchy and entertaining. Shinedown has once again outdone themselves with another incredible album full of stand-out tracks that still need to be listened to in full to truly appreciate its message.
SHINEDOWN‘s hotly-anticipated seventh studio album, Planet Zero arrives on July 1st via Atlantic Records
Pre-save/pre-order Planet Zero here. Each pre-order includes instant downloads of the album’s singles, Planet Zero, The Saints Of Violence And Innuendo and Daylight.
Review: Emmie Ellis
PLANET ZERO TRACKLIST:
2184
No Sleep Tonight
Planet Zero
Welcome
Dysfunctional You
Dead Don’t Die
Standardized Experiences
America Burning
Do Not Panic
A Symptom Of Being Human Hope
A More Utopian Future
Clueless And Dramatic
Sure Is Fun
Daylight
This Is A Warning
The Saints Of Violence And Innuendo
Army Of The Underappreciated
Delete
What You Wanted
Multi-platinum rock band SHINEDOWN has announced the UK and European leg of their Planet Zero World Tour, set to arrive on these shores in November 2022. Tickets go on general sale here at 10am local time, Friday, June 17th. Full itinerary below.
SHINEDOWN frontman and vocal icon, Brent Smith states:
“We have always been inspired by the UK and European audiences. Their passion for music is extraordinary. We are beyond excited to be returning as headliners, with our biggest show yet! “We are overwhelmed by the love and support of our new album, PLANET ZERO and look forward to sharing our new songs, along with all of your SHINEDOWN favorites!!! Cheers!!!”
The last time the Florida band were on this side of the pond in 2019, they recorded their O2 Arena show for the spectacular ‘Live In London’ concert film which you can watch here.
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