Staind are yet another band who are massive on the other side of The Pond but small fish over here. Their last album, 2001's Break The Cycle, has sold a remarkable (count 'em) 7 million copies worldwide, driven by radio-friendly, moody rock singles such as It's Been A While, which even made the UK top 20.
Anyone who only knows Staind for It's Been A While is in for a shock, however, as far as new single Price To Play is concerned. This is the real face of Staind - a wall of guitar noise and metallic riffs, vocals that keep to the right side of the singing/shouting line for those of a melodic bent, yet with a chorus pulled out from the musical warzone like a rescued PoW.
Listening to Price To Play serves as a reminder that Alice In Chains' influence is still potent in today's American hard rock a decade on. However, if you're going to wear your musical influences on your sleeve they might as well be good ones, and it is laudable that Staind have chosen to release a single that is anything but music for the masses. The new album should be worth a listen.
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