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While Shinedown’s post-Sound of Madness career has been anything but consistent, they’ve still managed to outlast most of their grunge/rock peers thanks to Brent Smith, who is easily one of the most talented vocalists in the mainstream sector of those genres. His ability to transition from raw, gritty barks to soaring melodic choruses is something special, and for the majority of Shinedown’s existence, it has allowed listeners to overlook some of the band’s other glaring deficiencies.

A lot of folks will be bothered by ‘Planet Zero’s apparently right-winged lyrical content, but the truth is that political affiliation alone doesn’t make a song bad or good. Revealing your political affiliation like a series of low-end YouTube comments, on the other hand, does: [I think we’ve reached the ceiling / They’re canceling your feelings], [Shut the door, say a prayer, kill the lights / Bite your tongue ’cause it might save your life], [Better pray that you’re not erased…On your knees or you’ll be replaced]. It doesn’t take long to realize that they’re criticizing cancel culture, and to be more accurate, beating you over the head with it. You can be for or against these lyrics — that’s your prerogative — but a less meme-worthy set of verses would have gone a long way in establishing ‘Planet Zero’s concept as possessing enough depth to actually convince someone on the other side of the aisle to pay attention. Instead, this just plays out like a poorly thought-out Facebook rant. The emotional crux of the song is delivered poorly as well, a very clumsily sung “All hail power to the people / Except you, you check the box we don’t like” where it sounds like Smith is trying to fit too many words into a very brief passage.

Lyrics have never been Shinedown’s strong suit, so let’s move on to the actual music. I can definitely appreciate the uptick in energy; this thing is one of their heaviest songs in years and at times almost borders on metallic. The bleakness of the riffs and the manic energy on drums help to sell the dystopian vibe that all of Planet Zero (the album, due April 22) allegedly adopts, and there’s a pretty heavy rock breakdown two-thirds of the way through the song (although I could have done without the countdown from 10…what is this, ‘Space Oddity’?). In terms of the song’s prevailing chorus/melody, it’s…okay, I guess…but nowhere near the massive hooks that Smith and co. penned back in their heyday, or even more recently.

All in all, we’re left with a politically motivated track that is quite heavy, but not all that memorable. The potential for Planet Zero to emerge as a worthwhile observation of our modern societal issues still technically exists, but based upon this lead single, the odds are stacked against it. Here’s to hoping that Shinedown’s most ambitious effort doesn’t end up collapsing under its own weight.

Score: 2/5

2 Star Rating Stock Illustration | Adobe Stock

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Sowing
01.27.22
Just keeping the series chugging along. I suspect this will garner the lowest avg thus far, although it's honestly not a terrible song.

JesperL
01.27.22
yeah this is a hard 1 for me, the breakdown is kind of almost something but everything surrounding it is just everything i don't want from music

JesusCage
01.27.22
Is this the defenition of average? Would rate 2.5 if I could

SitarHero
01.27.22
Yeah the music on the single is dece. This lyrics though...

JohnnyoftheWell
01.27.22
hey jesper nice dig

TheSpirit
01.27.22
very weird to me that all these artists sing about the woes of cancel culture while amassing hundred of thousands to millions of views on their new material

JesperL
01.27.22
hey johnny nice dig wow

Sinternet
01.27.22
could we perhaps start picking some cooler singles haha

Sowing
01.27.22
Cool is Johnny's territory

I'm just here to bring the average down

SitarHero
01.27.22
"very weird to me that all these artists sing about the woes of cancel culture while amassing hundred of thousands to millions of views on their new material"

Dude don't you live in Pennsylvania? This should come as no surprise whatsoever lol. There's a vast swath of the country that will eat this shit up with a spoon and order seconds.

iswimfast
01.27.22
Repeat from the other thread: Not to say the anti-cc stuff isn't cringe but

Brent Smith spoke out in support of BLM back then so he's certainly not only right wing.

Song sucks.

Cimnele
01.27.22
"the truth is that political affiliation alone doesn’t make a song bad or good." depends what it's affiliated to lol

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