Shadow Work

On their eighth set, Shadow Work, hard rock outfit Trapt smooth their nu-metal- and grunge-inspired edges, offering some polished anthems to balance with their typical crunchy assault. Muscular riffs and meaty drum pounding buffer frontman Chris Taylor Browns vocals, which he continues to push to cleaner heights (as on 2016s DNA). Amongst rote rockers like I Want to Want What I Want and Trying Too Hard, the band cribs notes from Shinedown, flexing their pop muscle with Tell Me How You Really Feel, which includes a soaring gang chorus with inspirational aspirations. The albums standout moment comes at the end with a left-field cover of Jewels 1995 hit single, Who Will Save Your Soul. Trapts version -- Save Your Soul -- is surprisingly well-executed, a faithful rendition that is a testament to Jewels songwriting and powerful lyrics that are as relevant in 2020 as they were in the 90s. Longtime diehards and fans of Daughtry, Chevelle, and early Creed will no doubt find something to enjoy on these dozen tracks. ~ Neil Z. Yeung