Top tracks — play these first
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Dark Horse Start here — Opening with a relentless urgency, this track encapsulates the album's aggressive spirit while introducing themes of struggle and resilience that permeate throughout.
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Worms Will Feed / Rats Will Feast — This lengthy composition masterfully weaves together contrasting dynamics, showcasing Converge's ability to balance chaos and melody while addressing themes of decay and survival.
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Cruel Bloom — The song stands out for its haunting atmosphere and emotional weight, featuring introspective lyrics that explore vulnerability amidst harsh realities.
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Reap What You Sow — With its explosive energy and direct lyrical confrontation, this track embodies the relentless nature of the album’s overall message regarding accountability and consequence.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's intense dynamics and collaborative spirit create a distinct sound that stands out in metalcore.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track that sets a relentless pace, maintaining intensity through the first half before introducing slower, more atmospheric elements.
- Several tracks feature abrupt tempo changes and dynamic shifts, often moving from chaotic riffs to quieter interludes within the same song.
- Collaborative tracks incorporate diverse vocal styles and instrumentation, adding layers of complexity and depth to the overall sound.
- 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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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. 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
- wave-like dynamics for intensity
- short bursts of aggression
- climactic moments of release
- headphone detail hunting required
Maybe skip if you
- prefer smooth, consistent pacing
- seek standalone hits only
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Received widespread acclaim, solidifying Converge's influence in metalcore.
- Career context
- By the time 'Axe to Fall' was released in 2009, Converge had already established themselves as a leading force in the metalcore scene with their previous album 'No Heroes' (2006). This album marked their sixth studio release and showcased their evolving sound, incorporating more experimental elements while maintaining their signature intensity.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Botch· The Dillinger Escape Plan· Norma Jean
Tracklist
- 1 Dark Horse Start here 2:54
- 2 Reap What You Sow 2:39
- 3 Axe to Fall 1:41
- 4 Effigy 1:42
- 5 Worms Will Feed / Rats Will Feast 5:52
- 6 Wishing Well 2:49
- 7 Damages 4:26
- 8 Losing Battle 1:46
- 9 Dead Beat 2:36
- 10 Cutter 1:40
- 11 Slave Driver 2:48
- 12 Cruel Bloom 4:01
- 13 Wretched World 7:10
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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