Atop a combination of staccato riffs and crushing drums, Routes lyrically recalls vocalist D. Randall Blythe's time spent with North Dakota's NoDAPL protesters in 2016. The movement fought against the installation of the Dakota Access Pipeline, which would have posed a serious threat to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s water supply.
He said:
“I went to Standing Rock because I had heard reports of violence committed on the peaceful protesters there by both state law enforcement and private security contractors, and this violence was not reported in mainstream media for the most part. I went to bring supplies and support these people, who were trying to protect their water, and thereby protect everyone, as everything in the natural world is protected.
“I was there a week, made some great friends, and learned a lot. It was a very profound experience in my life, and I knew one day I would write a song about it.”
The explosive single also includes guest vocals from thrash metallers Testament's Chuck Billy, who is of Pomo Indian heritage. Explaining the importance of Billy's feature, Blythe continued:
“My experience, although my own, was tempered and shaped by the hundreds of years of brutal oppression of Native peoples in our country.
“It was imperative for me to have a Native voice represented on the song, and Chuck Billy was happy to be that voice. At the end, there is a call and response section - Chuck calls and I respond. This is intentional. Musically, it is symbolic of my experience there. A native voice leads, bringing forth positive energy and calling to the people to unite, and I reply, providing support. That was my physical experience, and it is reflected in the song.”
Billy added:
"It was a great honour as a proud Pomo Native American to be asked by Lamb of God to do some guest vocals on this song. The NoDAPL movement by the indigenous people of this country was a historic event. Being able to lend my voice to represent the Native American people complimenting Randy's storytelling and lyrics is something really special to me. I’m glad this movement was put in a musical message, and I am extremely happy to have been a part of it.”
Routes will feature on Lamb Of God’s upcoming self-titled LP, which is scheduled for release on June 19 via Nuclear Blast. It will appear alongside the previously shared singles Colossal Hate and Checkmate.
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