'Hope and Sorrow' sums up the career of band

For the members of Sevendust, their seventh album has been a cathartic project of sorts.

A study in contrasts, "Hope and Sorrow" is more than just title.

"That's what this band has definitely been through its whole career," said Lajon Witherspoon, the vocalist for the Atlanta-based alt/metal band.

Formed in 1995, co-founders Witherspoon, Morgan Rose and John Connolly set about to make a record that was representative of a band that had withstood the trials and tribulations of a 13 year career; A career that is defined as much by its ability to overcome commercial failure as it has been about enjoying success.

"There's been a lot of promise and a lot of loss," Witherspoon continued. "But at the end of it all, we're still together.

"It's about all the ups and downs we've been through as a band, and us still being able to stick together and have this beautiful, magical energy that has been created. Not only by the band, but by the people that have grown up with us along the way."

Speaking of being together, the band recently announced the return of original guitarist Clint Lowery, who parted ways with the group in 2003.

Lowery was a key member of the lineup when the band first formed and signed with TVT Records. After four albums - "Sevendust" (1997), "Home" (1999), "Animosity" (2001) and "Southside Double Wide" (2003) - it was reported that the band and Lowery were mutually parting ways. Lowery went on to form a group, Dark New Days with his brother, while Sevendust added onetime Snot guitarist, Sonny Mayo.

After two albums - "Next" (2004) and "Alpha" (2007) - the co-founders again found themselves at the prophetic crossroads of, "Hope and Sorrow."

Witherspoon and Rose joined Connolly at his home studio, where they spent several months experimenting with various arrangements before heading to Tree Sound Studios in Atlanta.

They spent six weeks tracking a majority of the material before embarking on a nationwide tour in an effort to remove themselves from what in past would become a very mechanical and methodical process.

"I feel that 'Hope and Sorrow' honestly paints a picture of a band that has evolved and is not afraid to explore different types of music within their own sound," Witherspoon said.

"We've done heavy music and nailed it, but honestly I think this time we really decided that it's okay to go outside the norm and take chances and do different things." Shortly before the release of the album, the found members announced that "doing something different" meant it was time to reunite with Lowery.

"Everything happens for a reason," Witherspoon said.

"This was extremely tough, considering Sonny is our brother and has been amazing to work with," said Rose, in a statement released by the band. "He didn't do anything wrong at all, we just owe it to ourselves and all the folks that grew up with us to put our original band back together. We are sorry to say goodbye to Sonny and I'm sure this will be tough on the fans that follow him, but we're excited about reuniting the original lineup of Sevendust."

"Just like when you leave home," Witherspoon added, "you come back. Hopefully everyone will understand the decision we have made."

More than a decade has passed since Sevendust got together under the name Crawlspace and bonded on their mutual love for heavy music and strong melodies.

Three gold records, countless tour dates and seven albums later, the band has funneled all of its collective experience and musical acumen into "Sevendust VII: Hope and Sorrow."

"My wife calls our style of music 'confused rock' and I really like that," Rose said. "We used to like to say, 'Well, we like so many different kinds of music, we can't decide whether to play really heavy or melodic or mellow, so we do it all.' But actually, that's really just being confused in a really good way. That's what works for us. We can't stick to any game plan. I guess we just find that too limiting."

Keith Ryan Cartwright is a Colorado-based freelance entertainment journalist.