When we interviewed Sevendust guitarist Clint Lowery last month, he made it pretty clear that he reads our site on a regular basis. And he was a super nice dude. And much, much bigger than I am. So I hate to think that he might be reading this, because I’m about to say something rude about the video for Sevendust’s new single, “Prodigal Son.”

This video sucks. It’s lame, it’s boring, it’s ugly, it’s cheap looking, it’s way too literal, it’s everything that gives videos a bad name. I mean there’s some side boob so that makes my inner Butt-head happy, but mostly, I just wish this video didn’t suck so bad. Check it out for yourself below; if you’re really, really lucky, Vimeo’s crappy stream will keep stopping and starting at random intervals as you try to watch it, before freezing your computer.

Clint, if you’re reading this, drop me a line. We’ll hook you up with a decent director for your next video, and all will be good in the hood.

-AR

“MetalSucks.net! I look at you guys all the time!” These are the first words out of Clint Lowery’s mouth when he greets MetalSucks on his tour bus. Our intrepid reporters quickly burst into semi-nervous laughter before Lowery admits that a statement he released on Dark New Day’s MySpace page was a direct response to an editorial our own Vince Neilstein had written about that band just days prior (he’ll also make reference to at least one other piece Vince has written during the course of our interview).

“I hope no one was pissed,” the surprisingly tall Lowery says apologetically in his thick Georgia drawl before he takes a seat on the nearby couch. It’s kind of a surprising to hear Lowery ask us if we’re cool with something he said, since we’re pretty much accustomed to being the proverbial Assholes. But it illustrates what a genuinely nice dude Lowery is, and how legitimately happy he seems to be back in Sevendust after a three album absence.

The fans are happy, too. Later that night, at the band’s gig at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey, they create huge pits as violent as anything you’d ever see at a Hatebreed show, seemingly in Clint’s honor. This loyal and rabid fanbase is the reason Sevendust has survived while so many of their peers have fallen by the wayside. And with Lowery back in the band, it seems that they’re now poised to be more powerful than ever before.

After the jump, read Clint’s thoughts on leaving Dark New Day, returning to Sevendust, and what lies ahead for him and his bandmates.

Click to read more…

Seeing as Clint Lowery just rejoined Sevendust, really, who cares? Can we please just skip this album and go to the next one? Mmmkay, thanks guys.

[Read Vince's long review here]

-VN

(two out of five horns)

Head over to Sevendust’s MySpace page and you’ll find the message “Clint is back! More details to come…” Needless to say, this signals the return of guitarist Clint Lowery to the fold. Presumably this would mean that Sonny Mayo, who replaced Lowery, is out of the group… except both his photo and that of co-guitarist John Connolly are now missing from the “members” listing on the page. So for all we know, Mayo is still in and Connolly is out, or both of ‘em are out and Lowery is back in… we imagine this will get cleared up soon.

I guess this is good news, and I guess it was inevitable that Lowery would someday return to the fold – but the timing strikes me as odd. Sevendust are about to start promoting their new album, Hope and Sorrow, which comes out next week with and which features no contributions whatsoever from Lowery; meanwhile, the band Lowery left Sevendust to form, Dark New Day, just posted a new a song on their own MySpace page over the weekend (ironically titled “Goodbye”). Dark New Day’s MySpace page makes no mention of Lowery quitting the band, and the fact that his brother is also in the band would make you think he’s not gonna leave anytime soon; so is Lowery gonna be in two bands now? Even though they both sound nearly identical?

ANYWAY, if Lowery IS back, this would seem to make the band’s mysterious decision to drop off the Rockstar Energy Mayhem whatever the fuck its called tour even stupider; why reunite, get all that hype, and then waste it on a tour with fucking Saliva?

Hopefully someone will be wise enough to put out an official press release soon and clear up all the confusion. Color us intrigued…

-AR

Apparently Dark new Day (and ex-Sevendust) guitarist Clint Lowery (or someone close to the Dark New Day camp) reads MetalSucks — MetalSucks commenter Julie has informed us that Clint posted a public response on the band’s official website to our Nov. 19 article which asked “Is Dark New Day getting the shaft from their record label?“:

From: CLINT LOWERY ~ DARK nEW DAY
Regarding: Is DARK nEW DAY getting the shaft from their label?
posted at: www.darknewday.com
Date: November 24, 2007

It’s coming.

Nothing’s been released from the label yet because it’s still getting mixed and mastered.
They’re not gonna release or announce anything until they’ve heard the record completed.

I understand how people can speculate and assume the worst but rest assure this record’s not being overlooked or taken lightly by the label ((WARNER BROS.)) or the members of this ((DARK nEW DAY)) band.

This time of the year is called THE FOURTH QUARTER, and it wouldn’t be a good idea to release anything until next year because the industry kind of shuts down through the holidays.

Updates and artwork, etc., will be coming soon.

Thanks,

DARK nEW DAY

Well damn. I think your decision to wait out the 4th quarter is a wise one. We’re just worried, brother… we’re Dark New Day supporters through and though (click here for proof) and sincerely hope that the label is not, in fact, giving you the cold shoulder. I do wonder about the part of our post you didn’t address, though; that of certain key label personnel originally associated with the band possibly being dismissed. Lord knows in these major label lay-off happy times, all bands need someone fighting for them on the inside. Can’t wait to hear the new stuff, Clint.

-VN