What makes Black Heart by Stone Temple Pilots notable?

The single 'Black Heart' received positive critical acclaim, with many praising its ability to retain the essence of Stone Temple Pilots' earlier work while navigating a fresh direction. It peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot Rock Songs chart, signaling that the band still had commercial viability in a changing musical landscape. Released in 2013, 'Black Heart' marked a significant moment for Stone Temple Pilots as it was their first release following the departure of lead singer Scott Weiland. This single introduced new frontman Chester Bennington, showcasing the band's attempt to reinvent themselves while staying true to their roots.

How many songs are on Black Heart?

Black Heart has 1 track, running approximately 3 minutes.

Black Heart

Stone Temple Pilots · 2013

3 min · 1 track · grunge

A haunting blend of grunge-infused melodies and introspective lyrics that echo the band's signature sound while exploring new emotional depths.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Black Heart — The title track encapsulates the album's theme of emotional struggle and rebirth, with a compelling chorus that highlights Bennington's powerful vocal delivery.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

45 /100

Lowland

Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The single showcases solid songwriting and performance but lacks the depth for lasting impact.

What we noticed

The track features a steady mid-tempo beat with layered guitar riffs that create a dense sound.
Vocals are delivered with a gritty edge, matching the song's lyrical themes of struggle and longing.
The structure follows a traditional verse-chorus format, with an instrumental bridge that adds dynamic contrast.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 4/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. 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.

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Experimental — Introduced a new frontman and explored fresh emotional depths in sound.
Career context: Released in 2013, 'Black Heart' marked a significant moment for Stone Temple Pilots as it was their first release following the departure of lead singer Scott Weiland. This single introduced new frontman Chester Bennington, showcasing the band's attempt to reinvent themselves while staying true to their roots.
Stylistic neighbors: Soundgarden· Alice in Chains· Pearl Jam