Our top 10 Sevendust songs list looks at the body of work of an American quintet distinguished for its blend of tuneful hard rock, hard-hitting metal, and soulful nu-metal sounds. Sevendust was established in 1994 rising steadily as a force to record with the nu-metal/heavy metal/hard rock scene, thanks to its raw soulful (sometimes beautifully aggressive) songs. The quintet’s strong brotherhood has been a key element in its survival and relevance for almost three decades now.
Clint Lowery, the band’s guitarist, is the only member of the Sevendust to ever leave the band in its history. During this time, the band recruited former Hed PE and Amen guitarist Sonny Mayo (currently a member of Snot) to fill in Clint’s position. Sonny recorded three studio albums with Sevendust, having him ejected from the band’s lineup upon the return of Clint Lowery.
Over the years, Sevendust has released thirteen studio albums, three of which have been Gold-certified by RIAA. The band has since its inauguration sold millions of records globally. Sevendust has also built a strong reputation with its blistering live performances. Nickelback’s frontman Chad Kroeger recently quoted Sevendust as a force to reckon with citing the band as one of the acts he can barely follow onstage. While the band’s lead vocalist appreciated the compliments, lead vocalist Lajon Witherspoon cited Nothing More and Kiss as the acts that have set the bar even higher in terms of onstage performances.
Sevendust’s Career Beginnings and Breakthrough
The journey to stardom for Sevendust took a few twists and turns, from a lineup revamp to moniker changes. Three years after its inauguration, Sevendust was ready to give the world a taste of its nu-metal sound influences with its eponymous debut album. Sevendust, produced by the former Twisted Sister members, Mark Mendoza and Jay Jay French, entered the Billboard Top Heatseekers Chart, peaking at number five.
The album would later enter the Billboard 200, rising to position one hundred and sixty-five. “Black,” “Bitch,” and “Too Close to Hate” are the best Sevendust songs from the album. Sevendust guided the band to its first Gold-certified studio album by RIAA. The band went on to perform at Ozzfest 1998, sharing the main stage with Ozzy Osbourne, Coal Chamber, Soulfly, System of a Down, Megadeth, Tool, and Limp Bizkit.
Sevendust’s Album Releases over the Years
After a successful debut LP, Sevendust returned in 1999 with its sophomore studio album, Home. The album saw the band explore a blend of nu-metal and alternative metal sounds. Home featured additional personnel including singer-songwriter Skin, Deftones vocalist Chino Moreno, and Evanescence guitarist Troy McLawhorn. The album was a mainstream and commercial success, peaking at number nineteen on the Billboard 200 while receiving a Gold certification by RIAA. “Denial,” “Waffle,” “Home,” and “Licking Cream” are the most popular songs by Sevendust from the album.
Animosity, issued in 2001, marked the band’s third studio album. The album was Sevendust’s third consecutive release to be certified Gold by RIAA. Animosity finds the band exploring a fusion of nu-metal with alternative metal and industrial metal sounds. The album was a mainstream success, rising to a peak position of number twenty-eight on the Billboard 200. “Praise,” “Angel’s Son,” “Crucified,” and “Live Again” are the best Sevendust songs from the album.
In 2003, Sevendust released its fourth studio album, Seasons. This nu metal/alternative metal-influenced record was dedicated to Lajon’s late brother and the late Dave Williams, former lead vocalist to Drowning Pool. Seasons went on to peak at number fourteen on the Billboard 200. “Enemy,” “Face to Face,” and “Broken Down” are the most popular musical gems by Sevendust from Seasons. Guitarist Clint Lowery left the band in 2004 to form the supergroup Dark New Day with other rock stars, including current Evanescence guitarist Troy McLawhorn.
The departure of Clint saw the band recruit guitarist Sonny Mayo to fill up the void left. Next, issued in 2005, marked the band’s first outing with Sonny as the lead guitarist. The album was fairly successful, rising to the twentieth spot on the Billboard 200. Next is home to remarkable hits by Sevendust including “Ugly,” “Pieces,” and “Failure.” The band went on to issue its sixth LP, Alpha in 2007. Alpha, features the band’s longest song “Burn,” which spans over nine minutes. This nu-metal album managed to rise to the fourteenth spot on the Billboard 200, featuring some of the best Sevendust songs including “Driven” and “Beg to Differ.”
Unfortunately, Sonny’s time as a member of Sevendust was soon coming to an end following the return of Clint Lowery. Chapter VII: Hope & Sorrow marked Sonny’s last outing as a member of Sevendust. The album saw featured guest appearances by Mark Tremonti, Myles Kennedy, and Chris Daughtry of Daughtry. Mark Tremonti is associated with the acts Tremonti, Creed, and Alter Bridge while Myles Kennedy is associated with Slash and Alter Bridge. The album peaked at the nineteenth spot, featuring top musical gems by Sevendust including “Prodigal Son,” “Inside,” and “The Past.”
In 2010, Sevendust released its eighth studio album, Cold Day Memory. The album saw Clint Lowery return to his guitar role as a member of the band. Col Day Memory, an alternative metal-influenced LP, remains the band’s highest-charting album, peaking at the twelfth spot on the Billboard 200. The album is home to minor hits by Sevendust including “Ride Insane,” “Last Breath,” “Forever,” and “Unraveling.”
Sevendust issued its ninth LP, Black Out the Sun in 2013. The album saw the band return to its usual nu-metal sound influences with a few traces of alternative metal influences. Black Out the Sun managed to rise to number eighteen on the Billboard 200, topping the Billboard Top Hard Rock Albums Chart. “Decay” and “Picture Perfect” are the best Sevendust songs from the album. The band attempted to go acoustic rock with its tenth LP, Time Travelers & Bonfires. This album saw Sevendust issue acoustic rock-influenced recordings of selected hits like “Denial,” “Crucified,” and “Black.”
Kill the Flaw, issued in 2015, marked the band’s eleventh studio album. This alternative rock LP went on to peak at number thirteen. Kill the Flow is home to the band’s Grammy Award-nominated single, “Thank You,” and “Death Dance.” The band’s twelfth LP, All I See is War saw the band take on a blend of alternative metal and hard rock sounds. “Dirty,” “Unforgiven,” and “Risen” are some of the exemplary cuts off Sevendust’s LP All I See is War. Sevendust’s most recent album, Blood & Stone saw the band take on a similar blend of sounds, featuring remarkable hits like “Dying to Live” and a haunting cover of Soundgarden’s hit “The Day I Tried to Love.”
Sevendust’s Legacy
Three consecutive RIAA Gold-certified LPs, millions of album copies in sales, and a Grammy Award nomination are top achievements by Sevendust that are visible for all to see. However, the band’s remarkable onstage performances remain a treasure to the band’s fans. This has seen Sevendust sell out innumerable shows globally while headlining major festivals including Ozzfest, Woodstock, Sonic Temple, and Shiprocked! Coming up with the ten best Sevendust songs was quite a tough task owing to the fact that we can’t have every album represented on the list. Nevertheless, here are the top musical gems that proved worthwhile mentioning on our top ten Sevendust songs list.
#10- Decay
Ushering us to the top 10 Sevendust songs list is the haunting hit “Decay.” The song serves as the lead single of the band’s ninth studio album, Black Out the Sun. Dressed in heavy guitar riffs, “Decay” finds the band members contemplating the state of the world. While Lajon Witherspoon takes on lead vocals, Clint Lowery and Morgan Rose provide backing vocals on this hit. “Decay” was a success in the mainstream, peaking at number forty-two on the Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs Chart.
#9- Dirty
“Dirty” is among the most recent songs by Sevendust that brings out the band’s signature melody-driven song delivery with a tinge of aggression. The song is featured on the band’s twelfth LP, All I See is War. “Dirty” intention as stated by lead vocalist Lajon was to put its listeners in a battle mindset. The singer went on to reveal that battle might be either physical or emotional.
You ought to love Clint Lowery’s skills on the guitar in this song. Clint goes on to deliver an awe-inspiring guitar solo which makes this masterpiece an impressive record. “Dirty” went on to peak at number seventeen on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks Chart.
#8- Angel’s Son
Coming in at number eight on our ten best Sevendust songs list is the phenomenal hit “Angel’s Son.” The song is among the top Sevendust songs featured on the album, Animosity. “Angel’s Son” was penned by Lajon and Clint Lowery in honor of the late Snot founding member Lynn Strait who died following a car accident. An acoustic rock version of the song was first issued in 2000 by the band Snot featuring Sevendust.
Sevendust went ahead to release a post-grunge/soft rock-influenced cover of the hit “Angel’s Son” on the band’s third LP. The band’s version was a success on the mainstream, peaking at number eleven on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks Chart. A music video for Sevendust’s version of the song was issued featuring members of Korn, System of a Down, Sugar Ray, Incubus, and Kittie.
#7- Thank You
“Thank You” is one of the best alternative metal hits off the band’s eleventh studio album, Kill the Flaw. The song’s atmospheric melodic tunes and Sevendust’s signature aggressive delivery makes it quite a unique hit. “Thank You” was a success on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart, where it peaked at number twelve.
The song guided Sevendust to its first and only Grammy Award nomination in 2016 in the Best Metal Performance category. However, the song lost to the heavy metal/doom metal hit “Cirice” by Ghost. Other songs that had been nominated for the award include “Custer” by Slipknot, “512” by Lamb of God, and “Identity” by August Burns Red.
#6- Unraveling
Number six on our top 10 Sevendust songs list is the rip-roaring hit “Unraveling.” The song is featured on the band’s album, Cold Day Memory. “Unraveling” has its lyrics alluding to a broken relationship. The lyrics to this song were penned by the band’s guitarist Clint Lowery and producer Dave Bassett.
Dave is best known for his successful works with Ellie King, Halestorm, Daughtry, Idina Menzel, Pop Evil, Alice Merton, and Vance Joy. “Unraveling” remains Sevendust’s highest charting hit, peaking at number seven on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs Chart. The song music video for the song premiered on MTV2.
#5 – Black
There is no better way for a metal outfit to start its live shows than picking a powerful, hard-hitting ballad that indeterminately moves the audience. The perfect song by Sevendust that suits this description is the hit “Black.” This nu-metal/hard rock ballad is open the show opener for almost all of Sevendust’s live performances. The song has its lyrics alluding to the band’s thoughts on racism, with vocalist Lajon later quoting that the world is better when we all mind our own business.
“Black” peaked at number twenty-nine on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart. The song was first issued on the band’s eponymous debut album. However, Sevendust issued an acoustic rock version of the song on the album, Time Travelers & Bonfires. Disturbed played a live cover of this hit before issuing its 2000 debut nu-metal LP, The Sickness.
#4- Waffle
“Waffle” is one of the fan-favorite tracks by Sevendust, from the band’s sophomore studio album, Home. The song is quite commanding, albeit not as powerful as one might expect when it is juxtaposed with Sevendust’s songs like “Driven.” “Waffle” is the only song by Sevendust to make it to the Australian Singles Chart, peaking at number seventy-seven. The song peaked at number twenty-three on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart.
#3- Praise
The third pick on our ten best Sevendust songs list is the enchanting hit “Praise.” “Praise” is the most sought-after hit by Sevendust off the band’s third studio album, Animosity. One of the most memorable elements of this track is its powerful yet catchy guitar riffs. The brilliance of Lajon Witherspoon on the vocals is also evidenced in this hit.
Lajon is joined in singing by drummer Morgan Rose who delivers background vocals to this track. “Praise” has its lyrical content pointing us to themes of defiance. The song was a success on the mainstream, peaking at number fifteen on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart.
#2- Enemy
While Seasons failed to impress commercially like the band’s first three Gold-certified albums, it managed to feature top musical gems including “Enemy.” The song was penned by Morgan Rose in conjunction with Butch Walker. “Enemy” was penned about Morgan Rose’s sworn enemy, Dez Fafara, the frontman of Coal Chamber. The singer went on to quote that his hate for Dez surpasses that for Saddam Hussein.
Morgan’s feud with Dez resulted from the ill-treatment he served Rayna Foss-Rose, the then wife to Morgan. However, the two eventually resolved their issues with Morgan citing his angst against Dez to have resulted from his ‘young’ and ‘crazy’ nature by then. Nevertheless, “Enemy” was a mainstream success, peaking at number ten on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks Chart.
#1- Denial
Number one on our top 10 Sevendust songs list is the alluring hit “Denial.” The song is featured on the band’s sophomore studio album, Home. “Denial” is a nu-metal hit whose lyrics were penned by Morgan Rose and Clint Lowery. Like the title suggests, the song alludes to denial with its lyrics focusing on what happens when things in a relationship hit a snag.
The song features the vocals of Lajon Witherspoon, Morgan Rose, and Clint Lowery. You ought to love the unclean backing vocals of Morgan Rose which complements Lajon’s soulful vocals. Thanks to the hard-hitting yet melodic guitar riffs, the song unbridles pure nu-metal sound influences. “Denial” peaked at number fourteen on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart.
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Top 10 Sevendust Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2022
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