A Different Kind of Pain

Sometimes art imitates television. Remember on *The Sopranos*, when the hard-rocking Defiler became the alt-angst Visiting Day? Well, Jacksonville, Florida’s Cold have changed much in this way since their 1998 self-titled debut. They’ve lost both guitarists (with Terry Balsamo moving to Evanescence), switched labels, and stylistically shifted from Limp Bizkit-type math metal to Staind-like moody angst. This slowdown makes them pariahs amongst metal loyalists, but singer Scooter Ward has channeled his own life’s misfortunes (family members were seriously ill during the making of *Pain*) into gripping minor- key mopers that may not ignite the crowd, but play perfectly into a lonely, moonlit night. While platitudes such as “I don’t want to be alone” (“Feel It In Your Heart”) and looking for a “brand new start” (“Anatomy of a Tidal Wave”) are hardly earth-shattering insights, coupled with the band’s unrelenting and grinding chords, the emotive impact is real and heartfelt. It’s a matter of mentally preparing yourself for an album that few expected.

Discover A Different Kind of Pain by Cold released in 2005. Find album reviews, track lists, credits, awards and more at AllMusic.

What happened to the fun of playing rock music, especially when it comes from the sheer power of heavy rock? COLD, which returns with its fourth album after several lineup changes and a label switch, is comprised of talented and solid players, and frontman Scooter Ward can sing and write some freque...