The 11th studio long-player from the veteran hard rockers, the aptly, though rather lazily, named
XI
marks the return of vocalist
Mike Howe
to the
Metal Church
fold --
Ronny Munroe
left the group in 2014 to "pursue other interests." Hearing
Howe
's sinister and instantly recognizable banshee wail reunited with showrunner/guitarist
Kurdt Vanderhoof
's taut, melodic riffing is a thrill, especially for longtime fans. Standout cuts like "Needle and Suture," "Reset," and the monolithic "No Tomorrow," the latter of which might be the best thing the band's recorded in over a decade, provide a 21st century link to
-fronted
faves like
Human Factor
,
Blessing in Disguise
, and
Hanging in the Balance
. As has been the case on previous late-period outings, there's some filler to be waded through, but
feels a bit more lived-in and immediate than 2013's so-so
Generation Nothing
. With 11 albums under their belt,
seem to have finally found the sweet spot between the thrash-kissed days of yore and the more traditional yet no less meaty metal stylings of their 21st century incarnation. ~ James Christopher Monger