What makes Blacken the Sun by As They Sleep notable?

The album received significant attention within the metal community, showcasing a blend of melodic death metal and hardcore influences. Its aggressive sound and lyrical themes contributed to its impact on subsequent artists in the genre, earning praise from notable publications such as Metal Injection and The New Review. Released on January 1, 2008, 'Blacken the Sun' is As They Sleep's sophomore album following their debut, 'Far from Home.' At this point in their career, the band was solidifying its presence in the death metal scene, building on the foundations laid by their first release with more refined production and songwriting.

How many songs are on Blacken the Sun?

Blacken the Sun has 11 tracks, running approximately 46 minutes.

Blacken the Sun

As They Sleep · 2008

46 min · 11 tracks · death metal

A relentless barrage of intricate riffs and guttural growls that encapsulates the chaos of existence.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
A Thousand Deaths — This track exemplifies the band's technical prowess with rapid-fire drumming and complex guitar work while exploring themes of mortality and despair.
→
Companion of the Fire — With its haunting melody and powerful lyrics, this song captures the essence of struggle, offering a contrast between aggression and introspection.
→
Blacken the Sun — The title track serves as a culmination of the album's themes, featuring an intense buildup that reflects both personal and cosmic anguish.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

46 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album delivers intense aggression with moments of melody but lacks standout compositions that elevate it above its peers.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of rapid-fire drumming and complex guitar riffs that create a dense wall of sound throughout.
Vocals alternate between deep growls and higher-pitched screams, often layered to enhance the intensity of the tracks.
Several tracks incorporate melodic interludes that contrast with the aggressive instrumentation, providing brief moments of respite.
The final track transitions into a slower tempo, allowing for a gradual conclusion after the relentless pace of the preceding songs.

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: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Dusk 1:59
2 A Thousand Deaths 4:00
3 Companion of the Fire 5:09
4 Pangaea 5:02
5 Sins 'n Needles 4:27
6 Seeds of Hate 3:34
7 Sweet Misery 5:33
8 Hollow 4:21
9 Revelations 3:04
10 Blacken the Sun 5:07
11 Dawn 4:14

What to play next

Listen next

Dynasty

2010

Full As They Sleep discography Artists like As They Sleep

death metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata