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If you were living on planet earth in 2000 you were likely to hear the infectious supersmash single, “Kryptonite,” by 3 Doors Down from the disc, The Better Life. That record went on to sell over six million copies. The band rolled across the world, touring non-stop behind their massive success. After a brief stop to catch their collective breath, 3 Doors Down slipped back into the studio with legendary producer Rick Parashar (Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, Blind Melon). The result of those sessions became Away from the Sun, a rock ‘n’ roll record that makes no compromises.

Being on the road for so long created a sense of isolation and loneliness for singer Brad Arnold. The title track uses heavy set guitars and gritty beats to express these feelings. “Now again I find myself so far down/ Away from the sun shines into the darkest place I’m so far down/ Away form the sun again.”

Even with such hot lyrics the guitar grind is the real power behind this band. When Arnold opens the floodgates on songs like “The Road I’m On” or “Sarah Yellin’,” it makes you wanna turn up the volume and mosh with the nearest rocker.

But these guys swerve in other directions as well. The neo-psychedelic fingerpicking at the onset of “Ticket to Heaven” precludes a sonic sucker punch, but the dynamics add much to the track. Then the quartet gets riff hot on “Running Out of Days” before going soft and sweet with the lovesick “Here Without You.”

Still, the best track on this disc is the opening cut and first single, “When I’m Gone.” On this one the boys lay into a smoky groove before nailing the beats and guitars into a series of fiery rock hooks.

If 3 Doors Down do even a fraction of the business of their first disc this time around, the band will be primed to wave the rock flag well through the rest of the decade.

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