Of all the bands to arrive on the crest  of the 'nu-metal' wave, Papa Roach initially were the band of most interest to me. By employing classic metal riffs and mixing both rapping and singing in the vocal department, the band seemed, with debut album 'Infest' to have hit upon a winning formula. Unfortunately  follow up album 'LoveHateTragedy' lost the plot somewhat. Coby Dick became plain old Jacoby Shaddix and everything just seemed, well average. The success, or lack thereof, of 'LoveHateTragedy' seemed to indicate that many people felt the same. So now we have the bands third album 'Getting Away With Murder' and Papa Roach need to make up for lost time.

It would have been easy for the band to return to the formula of 'Infest' in order to recreate past glories. To give Papa Roach their due, they have not pursued that course and if anything have headed  into  more traditional rock territory, with ne'er a rap in sight (or sound). With 'Getting Away With Murder' Papa Roach have produced an album of undoubted quality. Shaddix proving, as with Corey Taylor on the Stone Sour album, that given the chance he has fine set of pipes and can cut it with the best metal vocalists currently out there.

Overall the album is both heavy and melodic, with intelligent lyrics and fine playing by all concerned. The production is spot on with fantastic drum and guitar sounds that are nailed right on each and every time. Stand out tracks are 'Getting Away With Murder' itself, which is deservedly the lead off single from the album and 'Sometimes' , which is a slightly more restrained track with a superb melodic guitar solo mid song.

It may prove difficult for Papa Roach to make the transition from teen hoodie idols to a more mature discerning audience, however with 'Getting Away With Murder' the band have certainly given themselves every chance. Listen to this album with an open mind and you can't fail but to be impressed.

Let us know your views on 'Getting Away With Murder'

Track List

Blood (Empty Promises)
Not Listening
Stop Looking Start Seeing
Take Me
Getting Away With Murder
Be Free
Done With You
Scars
Sometimes
Blanket of Fear
Tyranny Of Normality
Do Or Die
Harder Than A Coffin Nail
Caught Dead

Line Up

Jacoby Shaddix - Vocals
Jerry Horton - Guitar
Tobin Esperance - Bass
Dave Buckner - Drums