Listen to First New Lamb of God Song in Five Years, Brutal ‘Checkmate’

The track sounds like a dismantling of a certain president.

It's been five years since we've heard new music from Lamb of God and judging by the brutal attack of "Checkmate," they've pent up a lot of feelings. The first taste of the band's upcoming self-titled album (due out on May 8), is the recorded debut of new drummer Art Cruz, who took over from founding pounder Chris Adler in 2018.

"'Checkmate’ brings together all the components of the Lamb of God sound that we’ve been developing over the last two decades, but with the ambition and ferocity that comes with the start of a new chapter for our band,” guitarist Mark Morton said in a statement about the first song released from the band's eighth studio effort. “Re-energized and reignited, this is Lamb of God 2020. We’ve never been more excited.”

Singer Randy Blythe has frequently spoken out about his disdain for President Donald Trump and the lyrics to "Checkmate" appear to be another a slap at the just-acquitted twitter-in-chief. "A coup d'état on full display, a liar's sick charade/ A traitor's grand parade/ Narcissistic masquerades for those without a say/ Systematic disarray," he bellows, adding a twist on the president's signature credo, "Divide and conquer and close them in/ And bury secrets deep/ Make America hate again/ And bleed the sheep to sleep." 

Preorder the band's album here now. The band will celebrate the single's release with a special free show at the House of Vans in Chicago on Feb. 14; fans can RSVP beginning at noon CST today (Feb. 6) here.

Watch the "Checkmate" video and see the album track list below.

Lamb of God tracklist:

"Memento Mori"

"Checkmate"

"Gears"

"Reality Bath"

"New Colossal Hate"

"Resurrection Man"

"Poison Dream" (featuring Jamey Jasta)

"Routes" (featuring Chuck Billy)

"Bloodshot Eyes"

"On the Hook"