Jasta (Deluxe Edition)

With a promising eponymous debut album, Jamey Jasta successfully splits the difference between his two main projects, Hatebreed and Kingdom of Sorrow. The ferocious frontman’s first solo album detonates with “Walk That Path Alone,” a well-oiled machine of locomotive hardcore thrash that recalls Hatebreed’s less melodic moments. Taking cues from Kingdom Of Sorrow’s signature sludge, “Mourn the Illusion” is all kinds of dark. It’s built on a hefty foundation of relentlessly pummeling rhythms and dense guitar distortion over which Jasta’s howls latch onto some more accessible melody. An impressive lineup of guests appear throughout Jasta, most notably some guitar work that’s unmistakably Zakk Wylde’s on the hard driving rocker “The Fearless Must Endure.” Phil Labonte from All That Remains also contributes some call-and-response vocals to the sublimely catchy “Something You Should Know.” Randy Blythe from Lamb of God lends his larynx on “Enslaved, Dead Or Depraved,” matching Jasta’s throaty rumble with a deeper demonic sounding growl. Even pro skateboarder turned rockstar Mike Vallely shows up in “Heart of a Warrior.”