Heaven :x: Hell＜限定盤/Colored Vinyl＞

Capping nearly three decades on the scene, Sum 41 bid farewell the only way they really could: merging their punk and metal extremes on the sprawling double album Heaven :x: Hell. All those years of stylistic evolution collide on this 20-song collection, which is split evenly into the pop-punk Heaven side and the metal-leaning Hell side (naturally). Finding the sweet spot among Billy Talent, Green Day, and blink-182, this is standard, anthemic pop-punk goodness, designed for pogo-bops, fist-pumping, and light moshing, all centered on Deryck Whibleys acrobatic vocals. The big singalong choruses of catchy standouts like "Dopamine" and "Bad Mistake" ride Frank Zummos freewheeling drumming, as the twin guitar attack of Dave Baksh and Tom Thacker propel this track headlong into the sunset. Heaven, according to Sum 41, sounds fun, urgent, and energetic (even when the lyrics say otherwise). Descending into Hell, fans of 2016s 13 Voices and 2019s Order in Decline will have plenty to enjoy as the relatively lighthearted punk fest gives way to a hardened, emotionally charged whirlpool of rage and frustration. The pummeling "Rise Up" crushes with a head-caving breakdown and death scream, while the hardcore "Stranger in These Times" shreds and tears its way through "imbecilic morons" and Whibleys insecurities. Hell highlight "I Dont Need Anyone" lurches its way atop Jason McCaslins bass groove before a killer guitar solo slashes its way through this metal assault, just as emotions are pushed to the limit on the Linkin Park-leaning "How the End Begins." Theres even a martial cover of the Rolling Stones "Paint It Black" that showcases their technical skill and adaptability (especially on the breakdown). Regardless of which Sum 41 you prefer, there are two expertly executed albums here, each highlighting just how this group has grown from being rascally jokesters to hardened, concerned members of society. As far as swan songs go, Heaven :x: Hell is a heartfelt goodbye to fans, an overly generous gift that aims to please the full spectrum of diehards and thank them for all their years of dedication. ~ Neil Z. Yeung

結成から27年、最後のツアーをもって解散することを発表して大きな話題となり、その合間となるこの3月には〈PUNKSPRING〉出演も果たしたばかりのサム41から、いよいよ集大成となるラスト・アルバム『Heaven :x: Hell』が届けられる。最後にもかかわらず……いや、最後だからなのか、野心的にやりたいことを詰め込んだ結果アルバムは2枚組に発展。Disc-1の〈Heaven〉には初期からの活動を想起させる荒々しくもエネルギッシュなポップ・パンクが10曲ブチ込まれ、対するDisc-2の〈Hell〉には激しいリフやソロを特徴とするメタル・チューンがこちらも10曲収録されている。
そもそものポップ・パンクから作品を重ねるごとに進化と成熟を繰り返し、やがてメタルの範疇にも踏み込んで両輪で創作意欲の燃やしてきた彼らの、表現を楽しみつくすパンクなスピリットと演奏力を高めることで追求してきたメタルの美意識、それらの両方をここにきて改めて証明する内容と言えそうだ。デリック・ウィブリーいわく「音楽を聴いた瞬間、〈これを最後にしたいレコードだ〉と自信を持てた」とのことで、まずは2枚を爆音で浴びることが去りゆく彼らへの礼儀となるだろう!
bounce (C)狛犬