THROWBACK - Meadows: “Familiar With Pain” Album Review

Two years ago, Meadows released an absolutely incredible album themed around the events of Holy Week. Familiar with Pain released on Good Friday 2024. It is an album full of biblical truth, gritty southern metal guitar riffs and thundering vocals. This is an absolute must to have on any Holy Week metal playlist.

Familiar With Pain Album Review

Tracks: 10

Length: 39:54

Release Date: March 29, 2024

Label: Facedown Records

The album opens with echoing harmonies of “Hosanna,” ushering in the first track, “Innocence of Silence.” This thunderous opening song is inspired by Palm Sunday, which saw Jesus entering into Jerusalem on a donkey. Christian’s vocal style is unique, as it’s more of a harsh yell than a straight up brutal scream. The song is more methodical and technical than brutal. It is setting the scene for the rest of the lineup.

From the methodical “Innocence of Silence” it launches full throttle into the quick tempoed “Fury for the Taking.” This high octane song matches the ferociousness of its inspiration, Jesus turning over tables in the temple. The ringing guitar strums during the verses are deliberate and well placed. Meanwhile, the bassline and drum beats are hypnotic. The song ends with the lyrics “Overturned tables. With earned reputation. Earned with tables turned over.” Meadows provides a very precise sound where you can hear the attention that they give to each note.

“Old Friend, New Leaf” delivers a passionate and insane tempo. The distorted guitars offer a great opening. It’s a gritty song with a heartfelt message of who Jesus is and time spent with the disciples at the last supper.

“Greater love has no man than this. Than to lay down his life for his friends.”

I love that the band pulls from scripture and uses that inspiration to provide incredible songs with deep theology. The clean vocals really stand out in the chorus of our next song, “Heavy Eyes.” As you’re listening to Christian scream with this rough, gritty sound, it makes you wonder how he has any voice left. When reading the lyrics, it seems that this song has two halves. The first half of the song seems to come from a sense of desperation.

“God are You asleep or is it just me. Are Your eyes not open? Can you see what’s happening?”

Meanwhile, the second half of the song comes from Jesus’ time in the garden as He’s praying.

“The bleeding in my sweat. The piling of stress. By the prayers all pushed up from thoughts in my head.”

While Jesus was in the Garden, he despaired and pleaded with God,  hoping that this cup would pass by Him. But, He also knew that what was going to happen was absolutely necessary.

“Life & Death by the Sword” has a thematic opening that continues to highlight how Meadows is always looking for ways to differentiate their material. It reminds me of the Dolby sound intro that you would hear at movie theaters before the feature. The band’s aggressive tone makes it clear they aren’t pulling any punches. As you may assume from the title, this song is themed after Peter taking the sword and cutting off the ear of the servant of one of the high priests.

“Kudzu Guilt” comes out absolutely swinging in the beginning. The effects of the guitar in the chorus has an incredible and distinct sound. It’s a refreshing departure that adds depth and layers to the song. It has a swinging aspect in the song between the guitar chords and drum beats.

“No longer bound to the hate that I let in. Break off the chains, before they can set in. Freely I give, ‘cause freely I get. I’m bought with a price.”

The song is centered around Peter’s guilt after denying Christ, but it can also relate to the times that we have trouble dealing with our guilt and shame.

We start building into the songs inspired by the events of Jesus standing in front of Pilate and the cross. “What is Truth” starts with this eerie, distorted piano and again these guys look for ways to make each song unique. It helps break up the intensity of the songs. The guitars are driven and technical. I love hearing the drum solo, which shows the all around talent of this band.

“I see no fault. But there you stand, silent before violent hands. It’s life or death we choose.”

This is coming from Jesus standing in front of Pilate who sees Him as innocent. Pilate again asks himself and ourselves asking what is truth.

“Barabbas (Silence of Innocence)” was one of the first singles released ahead of the Good Friday release and it is my favorite song on the record. The brutal, chugging opening is an absolute banger. From the very first screamed “Barabbas,” it’s an intense song, musically and lyrically, mimicking the mob as they shouted for Pilate to release Barabbas instead of Christ. 

“Hellbent on drowning in my unforgiveness. I’d rather let the wicked walk. While Grace stands trial chained & I won’t change.”

Refusing to seek forgiveness and when we have an opportunity to receive forgiveness, we want the wicked. Sound familiar?

“39X” was another one of the first singles released ahead of time. It is a combination song between the events of the crucifixion to the fulfillment of the suffering servant in Isaiah 53:2-5. I appreciated the echoing gang vocals mixed with Christian’s vocals on the “remember.” I appreciate how  they are completely devoted to representing God’s authentic Word accurately in their lyrics.

“Even in His suffering, Jesus remembers.” “I remember the crown upon My head. Bloody thorns, driven down, till all I see is red. Then I remembered what I came to do. With every lashing that I take, I remember you.”

Incredible, real lyrics that push to reveal the price that Jesus paid for our salvation. A highlight is the reading of Isaiah 53:2-5 at the end of the song. This is a great reminder of what this band stands for. They enjoy making heavy, brutal music, but also write deep, honest, theologically-rich lyrics.

The record ends with a song that you might not expect on a metal album. “My God is Strong” is a worship song that is an absolutely gorgeous song to end a powerful record, featuring female vocalist Hayden Creel. I love it when metal bands take the time to slow down and put in a song like this. Bloodlines did it with “Holy” and Mortal Treason did it with “Untitled (off their self-titled debut), just to name a few. It is a song full of passion and adoration towards the King of Kings.

Overall, this is an album that should be on your rotation, especially around the Easter holiday. It is focused on representing the events of Holy Week and they do it well. Despite the consistent heaviness, the band avoids repetition by giving each song its own distinctive edge. They focused on making each person’s talents stand out at different moments. The lyrics are theologically rich and thoughtful. They play with passion and it shows in how they play the music and how they sing. They have a new record coming out later this year and if it sounds anything close to this one, we are in for a real treat.