It is quite a bit heavier than his usual style o'backing, but I'd say it stops short of anything heavier than Death at their most melodic. Better with a growler? Eh, more average, maybe - I think he does elevate the music and give it that extra bit of oomph, but I don't think it's anything brilliant. High 70s-low 80s at best, the songs are more complex than they first seem but don't add up to make that special an album.