Metamorphosis by Papa Roach

When Papa Roach are making energetic, balls-to-the-wall rock music, they are truly excellent. Their hits like “Last Resort” and “Getting Away With Murder” have never failed to get every hard rock crowd I’ve seen onto the dance floor to jam. Their slow tunes, of which there are quite a few on their new album, Metamorphosis, leave a less awesome taste in your mouth, but still can’t be faulted on anything.

Metamorphosis starts out with pounding drums and a driving beat on “Days Of War,” a short, but fitting introduction to the heavy CD that is coming. It then jumps, with all its energy, into “Change Or Die,” which is probably the heaviest song on the album and definitely one that’ll please loyal fans.

Joining the ranks of the bands-with-something-to-say, Papa Roach have come up with “Hollywood Whore,” an indictment of all the swanky parties, expensive spas and gratuitous lifestyles the regular Hollywood ‘ladies’ have become accustomed to, and become known for. As much as most people like to hear these sort of people ripped off, songs like this are a lot less entertaining than they were four years ago.

“I Almost Told You That I Loved You” is signature Papa Roach rock, with a catchy chorus, a little bit of shouting, and some ex-boyfriend/ girlfriend anger that most people will be able to identify with.

The music gets socially aware again on the last track, “State Of Emergency,” which does well to close off the record and remind listeners they shouldn’t want to be living like we currently do, in a “state of emergency,” and be “left for dead.”

Rock bands like to comment on society – it’s what they do and it’s why we support them endlessly. Luckily, Papa Roach does it fairly well, so if you’re buying it to rant about something or just have some pent-up aggression lying around, this album’ll be your perfect companion.