As the Dark Against My Halo
The Crüxshadows · 2012
77 min · 14 tracks · gothic rock
Ethereal synths and driving beats weave through haunting vocals, creating a landscape both dark and uplifting.
Top tracks — play these first
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Valkyrie — This track embodies the album's thematic exploration of empowerment through its soaring melodies and anthemic chorus that beckons listeners to rise above adversity.
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Halo — With its intricate layering of synths and introspective lyrics, this song stands out as a poignant reflection on love and loss, encapsulating the emotional core of the album.
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Burning — This track showcases a dynamic blend of driving rhythms and evocative storytelling, illustrating the band's ability to combine dark themes with danceable energy.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines energetic beats with haunting vocals, showcasing strong production but uneven flow.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a driving beat and layered synths, establishing an energetic yet dark atmosphere that persists through the first half.
- Vocals are often harmonized in a call-and-response style, creating a dialogue between the lead singer and backing vocals throughout many tracks.
- Several tracks feature abrupt transitions, such as 'Burning' leading directly into 'Quicksilver', which disrupts the flow but adds to the album's dynamic shifts.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- haunting vocals with uplifting energy
- immersive soundscapes for deep focus
- dark themes with ethereal brightness
- steady pacing for reflective moments
Maybe skip if you
- prefer short, punchy tracks
- seek instant gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in early 2012, As the Dark Against My Halo marked The Crüxshadows' sixth studio album, following their 2007 release, DreamCypher. At this stage in their career, the band was solidifying its presence in the gothic rock scene while continuing to evolve their sound with more electronic elements.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Sisters of Mercy· Fields of the Nephilim· Siouxsie and the Banshees
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 And I Believe 2:38
- 2 Valkyrie 6:03
- 3 Halo 6:09
- 4 Sleepless 5:17
- 5 Burning 6:27
- 6 Quicksilver 5:26
- 7 The Infinite Tear 4:18
- 8 Indivisible 6:23
- 9 Porcelain 5:27
- 10 Angelus Everlasting 5:37
- 11 Sentinel 6:11
- 12 Matchstick Girl 6:54
- 13 Dark Matter 6:06
- 14 Africanus 4:52
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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