Album Review: Sevendust – One (Napalm Records)

Iconic alternative metal band, Sevendust are back with their brand new, and fifteen, album. It’s called ‘One’ and it is out on May 1st, 2026, via Napalm Records.

Now, you might think because of my age that I’d be well versed in all things Sevendust but that would be very presumptuous of you. Even though they’ve been around since the mid-90s, I really didn’t listen to a whole lot of them growing up. What I did hear, I didn’t get particularly excited by, so I’ve never really bothered since. Of course, I’ve heard plenty more since then, but again, I’ve never found myself excited by what they do.

These days, I’m more open-minded then ever and convinced that eventually the band will release an album that does excite me. Is this the one? Unfortunately, the answer is a little more complicated than just ‘yes or no’.

On the one hand, this is a really well balanced Sevendust album that focuses on anthems. On the other hand, there’s very little risk being taken and there were numerous times during the album where I felt myself checking out mentally. Not quite boring but not exactly engaging and not particularly memorable.

The word that comes to mind while listening to the record is safe, but another could be sanitised, and another could be dull, especially when it comes to choruses. Harsh? Maybe, but being safe and sanitised is also what makes them so damn popular, and I don’t see that changing with this record. It’s a crowd-pleaser through and through, an album for Sevendust fans of all eras, without sounding stagnate. They’re not trying to capture what worked decades ago, just build on it.

There are good moments throughout. Moments that cut through the miasma of meh and one such moment comes early on with the title track. I am, of course, talking about the guitar solo. Then there is the touch more bite that Is This the Real You has, the groovy guitar flair of We Won, and vivid burst of melody that Bright Side offers. However, it’s all about Blood Price because if there’s one track that makes me sit up a little, it’s this one. A brawny effort with some nasty sounding vocal roars and a kick ass guitar solo. It’s one of the stronger examples of how Sevendust can effortlessly create heavy anthems.

For all my criticism of the album, I can’t say I had a bad time listening to it. It’s a lean ten tracks, doesn’t really have any filler, and feels very true to what the band is renowned for. I think a ton of people are going to love it, I just wish I could share that enthusiasm.

Sevendust – One Track Listing:

1. One
2. Unbreakable
3. Is This the Real You
4. Threshold
5. We Won
6. Construct
7. Bright Side
8. The Drop
9. Blood Price
10. Misdirection

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