In the nine years since Drowning Pool‘s debut single, “Bodies,” hit the floor (and No. 6 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart) in 2001, its mettle has been tested by the unexpected death of singer Dave Williams and the departure of his replacement, Jason Jones. As a testament to its solidarity, though, Drowning Pool gives perhaps its most polished performance yet in “Feel Like I Do,” the first single from its upcoming self-titled album. The song retains the act’s familiar growl but tempers the distortion, as guitar and bass mount a collective assault over crashing drums. Ryan McCombs flaunts heavy metal vocal power, and the hook invites crowd participation-“Raise your hands if you feel like I do”-while a chorus of “hey heys” gives the song anthem potential. -Connor McKnight
