Shinedown, nowadays a 5 piece band hailing from Florida, is releasing their third full length worldwide. Back in 2005 we already saw some attention on this band in Europe but it wasn't until the band joined the European Disturbed tour in 2008 before they actually got the chance to give the album attention one a global level. After their platinum album Leave A Whisper and their gold album Us And Them (2005) the band is ready to conquer the world.

After three years filled with drugs, party and Rock and Roll almost the entire line up got kicked out of Shinedown by front man Brent Smith and drummer Barry Kerch. They both get their lives straight and start writing material for their new album. When producer Rob Cavallo shows interest in the band and they decide to work together there are 60 rough songs written. A new line up is formed and the band enters the studio. A process which took almost 18 months ended up as the brand new studio album The Sound Of Madness.

Opening track 'Devour' instantly shows the energy which is present on this album. Besides the tough rock songs, various ballads are present like 'Second Chance', 'Call Me' and 'The Crow & The Butterfly'. The orchestra used on these tracks gives the sound a bigger body. It is clear producer Rob Cavallo has given the band the opportunity to expand their sound by adding more layers. Personal favorite is the track 'Cry For Help' which is one of the more energetic songs present on this album.

On The Sound Of Madness everything seems to fit perfectly and no mistakes were made putting this disc together. The flow is perfect and the songs are of an amazing quality. Compared with their previous material the band has clearly grown and this has resulted in one of the most outstanding rock albums out on the market right now.