Survival of the Sickest is the fourth studio album by the American rock band Saliva. It was released on August 17, 2004. The album produced two singles: "Survival of the Sickest" in June 2004, and "Razor's Edge" in November 2004. The title track was featured in the video games NASCAR 2005: Chase for the Cup and Backyard Wrestling 2: There Goes the Neighborhood, and was the official theme song for WWE's Unforgiven 2004 pay per view. It is their final album to feature original rhythm guitarist Chris D'Abaldo, who would leave the band in 2005.
The album represents the band shifting from their early nu metal and rap rock styles to focus more strongly on hard rock. Songs on the album show a variety of influences including southern rock, post-grunge, heavy metal, and rap rock.
Critical reception
Entertainment Weekly writer Sean Richardson found the album going back to the band's early hard rock sound from their 1997 self-titled debut, praising Josey Scott for crafting tracks that pay tribute to 80s hair metal and penning both "aching redemption songs and seething revenge tirades" that make it more contemporary.
Saliva
- Josey Scott - lead vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion
- Wayne Swinny - lead guitar, backing vocals
- Chris D'Abaldo - rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- Dave Novotny - bass, backing vocals
- Paul Crosby - drums
Additional personnel
- Paul Ebersold – producer, strings, keyboards, drum programming
- Matt Martone — engineer
- Skidd Mills — mixing <small>(tracks 1–3, 5–10, 12–14)</small>
- Andy Wallace — mixing <small>(tracks 4, 11)</small>
- Howie Weinberg — mastering