A Different Kind of Pain

by Cold

Overview

Their guitars are certainly loud, and there are moments when Scooter Ward bellows. But with Different Kind of Pain, Cold has largely departed alternative metal for brooding electric ballads. Distorted notes ring out meaningfully as Ward dwells on despair, shame, and symphonies of sadness. "If God created love, did he make it for everyone?" This is a very similar trajectory to Staind's, where feelings matter considerably more than rocking, and the quest for redemption never seems to end. Cold did almost end, incidentally. In 2003, Geffen soured on the band in the midst of promotion for their sophomore album Year of the Spider. Internal strife followed; Kelly Hayes departed, and Terry Balsamo joined Evanescence. Ward even had sick family members to deal with. Still, the band regrouped with new members, and a new label in Lava/Atlantic. Maybe that adversity accounts for Different Kind of Pain's subdued, searching feel. On the title track, the sound of pattering rain gives way to reflective piano notes and more unguarded lyrics from Ward; a guitar surges forth toward the end, but instead of launching into a explosive solo it only sets up the chorus once again. This is a song slow-motion hugs are made of, and there's nothing metal, or even post-grunge about it. Heaviness isn't a requirement for the band to be effective. But unfortunately, like Staind, Cold often loses sight of real melody in their examination of the soul. Their songs might add a sweep of violins, or give a guitar a chance to chug out some rhythmic tension, but "When Heaven's Not Far Away" and "Back Home" are the only real standouts. ~ Johnny Loftus

Product Details

Release Date:	05/16/2025
Label:	Music On Vinyl
UPC:	8719262038899

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Cold   Primary Artist
Sam McCandless   Drums
Jeremy Marshall   Bass
Matt Loughran   Guitar
Michael "Elvis" Baskette   Keyboards
Mike Booth   Guitar
Dave Holdredge   Cello
Scooter Ward   Piano,Guitar,Vocals
Brian Sperberg   Piano

Technical Credits

Richie Voutselas   Management
Steve Robertson   A&R
Ted Jensen   Mastering
Sam McCandless   Composer,Group Member
Matt Loughran   Composer,Group Member
Michael "Elvis" Baskette   Producer,String Arrangements
Mike Booth   Group Member
Dave Holdredge   Engineer
Ben Grosse   Mixing
Ronald Ward   Composer
Jeremy Marshall   Group Member
Scott Adair   Management
Paul Geary   Management
Charlie Becker   Art Direction
Sean Ballhorn   Management
Scooter Ward   Composer,Group Member
Nikki Hirsch   Product Manager
Jef Moll   Digital Editing
Robert Gold   Art Direction
Damien Shannon   Editing,Engineer
Jeremy Woodhouse   Cover Photo