“Faceless”
Godsmack
Republic/Universal Music
2 LP
Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars
Hard Rock, heavy hitters Godsmack are back with their second LP re-release which features the bands third studio album “Faceless”. The album which included the #1 rock hits “I Stand Alone” and “Straight Out Of Line” gave the Massachusetts natives their first #1 Album and made it a rock staple over the years. To commemorate the albums success “Faceless” is now available for the first time on double 12″ LP’s with a fresh remaster set for 45rpm. In addition to classic black vinyl, the album is also available on limited-edition marble vinyl as an online exclusive.
Just as the original did “Faceless” comes out of the gate blazing as the albums opening track “Straight Out Of Line” sets the tone for the releases 40 plus minute runtime. The new remaster aided by 45rpm play speed is instantly recognizable as listeners are treated to a higher sense of clarity and greater level of tonal output that was missing from the highly compressed original. Tracks like “Faceless” and “Re-Align” will rattle the pictures on your walls as the pronounced bass attack (which even when running higher bass settings) does not muddy up the albums overall mix. Other tracks that we really enjoyed during our listing were the medium paced “Changes” with its staccato like start and stops and the closing track of Side D “Serenity” which is a haunting, hand drum driven number showcasing the upper range of vocalist Sully Erna’s Bostonian snarl.
Easily my favorite from Godsmack’s eight album catalog “Faceless” is more than deserving of the LP treatment. The album’s two number one singles (“I Stand Alone”, “Straight Out Of Line”) sit nicely between the other ten tracks, all of which could be singles on their own. The new remaster brings an added openness to the release giving the combined twelve tracks a welcomed re-vamp. Where I found the release lacking is the fact that no additional or alternate tracks were included. Also missing from the release is any sort of additional photos or interviews detailing the process and significance of the album. Don’t get me wrong the double gatefold packaging and remaster is nice however it just might not be enough for fans to go out and pick up a copy on vinyl.
Faceless Tracklist
Side A
Straight Out Of Line
Faceless
Changes
Side B
Make Me Believe
I Stand Alone
Re-Align
Side C
I Fucking Hate You
Releasing the Demons
Dead And Broken
Side D
I Am
The Awakening
Serenity