For Whom the Gods Would Destroy

After 2002's Execution Protocol, Herod went through some major personnel changes. Three members left the Buffalo, NY-based outfit, and the new Herod that re-emerges on For Whom the Gods Would Destroy is a very different band — not only in terms of personnel, but also stylistically. Recorded in 2003 and released in early 2004, this is the first album by Herod's new lineup, which consists of two original members (guitarist Jesse Benker and drummer Mike Jeffers) and three newcomers: guitarist Bryce March, bassist Jeremy Partlow, and lead singer Judah Nero. Herod is still a metal band, but while the old Herod favored a go-for-the-jugular style of metalcore, this Herod opts for a decidedly melodic alterna-metal approach — forceful and intense, certainly, but a lot more intricate and melody-minded than before. The new Herod draws on a variety of headbanger influences, and they range from '80s power metal to thrash to punk. Iron Maiden and Judas Priest are influences; so are Metallica, Pantera, and Megadeth as well as various punk or hardcore bands. Nero occasionally gets into some metalcore-style screaming, but more often than not his lead vocals are melodic and accessible. For Whom the Gods Would Destroy is, without question, an ambitious effort for Herod, who deserve credit for pulling together so many different influences — it would have been a lot of easier to simply emulate alternative metal's latest flavor of the month. Most of the time, Herod's ambition pays off; they don't always sound totally comfortable with their stylistic makeover, but For Whom the Gods Would Destroy has more memorable tracks than forgettable ones — and when all is said and done, this CD leaves the listener with a generally favorable, if imperfect, impression of the new Herod.