Lamb Of God's Randy Blythe is really digging the new Code Orange album

March 20, 2017

Much like the heavy music of Pittsburgh's Code Orange, Lamb Of God frontman Randy Blythe is unapologetic.

Having been known to publicly speak out on topics such as the current state of metal or politics, Blythe is always willing tell it like it is.

In fact, you should know that he claims, “Honestly, there’s just not much new heavy stuff out there that is different enough from the bazillion other new bands to interest me—there hasn’t been for quite some time now.”

But Code Orange has grabbed his attention.

In a lengthy Instagram post published yesterday (via ThePRP), Blythe broke down his issues with the current metal scene, and explained exactly what Code Orange are doing right.

“They mined a lot of different influences—hardcore, metal, industrial, noise—And made their own sound,” he says. “The production is big without sounding over-polished—the drums sound like REAL DRUMS that an actual HUMAN is HITTING, THANK GOD. They also came up the right way, paying their dues just like my band & most of my friends bands did- playing the DIY spaces.”

It must be pretty cool to hear that kind of praise from a legendary metal figure, let alone one who doesn't listen to much heavy music anymore.

Code Orange's new album Forever was released on January 13 of this year. They're currently on tour in Europe, but will be returning to the states next month.

You can read Blythe's complete thoughts on originality and Code Orange below, along with his Instagram post.

“As most of you know, I don’t listen to much heavy music- I hear it on tour all the time, & I’m a grumpy old man who likes peace & quiet. More importantly, in this incredibly oversaturated internet era, honestly there’s just not much new heavy stuff out there that is DIFFERENT enough from the bazillion other new bands to interest me- there hasn’t been for quite some time now.

LOTS of “monkey-see, monkey-do”- I mean, sure- the technical abilities of young musicians is astounding these day, like BEYOND astounding. And you see these 12 year-old INSANE shredders, because they learned to play listening to all these technical bands & YouTubing their songs all that, but (no offense to these kids, & I know this is gonna piss some people off but I don’t care because it’s the truth & needs to be said) um… SO WHAT? So they can play someone else’s song.

Big fucking deal. Who cares? Can they WRITE a song? And if they DO write a song, does it sound like everyone else? Is that what technical proficiency breeds these days? If I can say “This sounds like a combination of (insert whatever bands are currently popular)” then I already don’t care. BORING.

I’d rather listen to Chet Baker or SWANS or Scratch Acid or Bad Brains or Prince Far Ior Black Sabbath or Otis Redding. So it’s been a while since I’ve cranked a record by younger heavy band, then immediately played it again, & then again. Pittsburgh’s @codeorangetoth latest album, “Forever“, is that record though- someone call the brutality police, because this album CRUSHES.

It’s FUCKING UGLY, & they mined a lot of different influences- hardcore, metal, industrial, noise- & made their own sound. The production is big without sounding over-polished- the drums sound like REAL DRUMS that an actual HUMAN is HITTING, THANK GOD. They also came up the right way, paying their dues just like my band & most of my friends bands did- playing the DIY spaces.

Kids don’t seem to want to do that these days- I blame American Idol. These young cats paid dues- I respect that. They’ll be out on tour soon opening for my friends @anthrax, @killswitchengage, & @jameyjasta’s solo project, so get there early. Salute to the young bloods doing it RIGHT.”

As most of you know, I don't listen to much heavy music- I hear it on tour all the time, & I'm a grumpy old man who likes peace & quiet. More importantly, in this incredibly oversaturated internet era, honestly there's just not much new heavy stuff out there that is DIFFERENT enough from the bazillion other new bands to interest me- there hasn't been for quite some time now. LOTS of “monkey-see, monkey-do”- I mean, sure- the technical abilities of young musicians is astounding these day, like BEYOND astounding. And you see these 12 year-old INSANE shredders, because they learned to play listening to all these technical bands & YouTubing their songs & all that, but (no offense to these kids, & I know this is gonna piss some people off but I don't care because it's the truth & needs to be said) um… SO WHAT? So they can play someone else's song. Big fucking deal. Who cares? Can they WRITE a song? & if they DO write a song, does it sound like everyone else? Is that what technical proficiency breeds these days? If I can say “This sounds like a combination of (insert whatever bands are currently popular)” then I already don't care. BORING. I'd rather listen to Chet Baker or SWANS or Scratch Acid or Bad Brains or Prince Far I or Black Sabbath or Otis Redding. So it's been a while since I've cranked a record by younger heavy band, then immediately played it again, & then again. Pittsburgh's @codeorangetoth latest album, “Forever”, is that record though- someone call the brutality police, because this album CRUSHES. It's FUCKING UGLY, & they mined a lot of different influences- hardcore, metal, industrial, noise- & made their own sound. The production is big without sounding over-polished- the drums sound like REAL DRUMS that an actual HUMAN is HITTING, THANK GOD. They also came up the right way, paying their dues just like my band & most of my friends bands did- playing the DIY spaces. Kids don't seem to want to do that these days- I blame American Idol. These young cats paid dues- I respect that. They'll be out on tour soon opening for my friends @anthrax, @killswitchengage, & @jameyjasta's solo project, so get there early. Salute to the young bloods doing it RIGHT.

A post shared by D. Randall Blythe (@drandallblythe) on Mar 18, 2017 at 9:53pm PDT