Lamb of God, ‘Resolution’

This is like two records in one. For cursory kicks, “Resolution’’ is as explosive and caustic as you would ever want a heavy-metal record to be. For deeper listening, the disc delivers as well. On “Cheated,’’ the band crafts a punky thrash, with singer Randy Blythe echoing Johnny Rotten on the line, “Ever get the feeling you’ve been cheated?’’ With “King Me,’’ the band swings toward the prog end of metal, as a string section and classical vocalist create elegant contrasts within brutal dynamics. Yet the band does not make these poles seem very far apart, and much of the music that falls between those points is quite refined. Blythe howls and rasps about demise - his, mine, yours, ours - while guitarists Willie Adler and Mark Morton bear down with relentless riffs, occasionally clearing the air with short, incisive solos. Drummer Chris Adler and bassist John Campbell subtly drive the tempo shifts, keeping a steady menace without sounding monotonous. (Out today) SCOTT McLENNAN