What makes Breathing the Fire by Skeletonwitch notable?

The album received critical acclaim, debuting at number 13 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and helping to expand Skeletonwitch's fanbase significantly. Its blend of thrash and black metal elements influenced many contemporary extreme metal bands and solidified their place within the genre. Breathing the Fire is Skeletonwitch's third album, following their 2007 release, Beyond the Permafrost. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their presence in the extreme metal scene and building a reputation for their intense live performances and intricate songwriting.

How many songs are on Breathing the Fire?

Breathing the Fire has 12 tracks, running approximately 34 minutes.

Breathing the Fire

Skeletonwitch · 2009

34 min · 12 tracks · thrash metal

A relentless barrage of thrash-infused extreme metal, combining melodic intricacies with ferocious energy.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Submit to the Suffering — This opening track sets the aggressive tone of the album with its blistering riffs and urgent pace, encapsulating Skeletonwitch's signature sound right from the start.
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The Despoiler of Human Life — A standout moment that showcases both technical proficiency and melodic sensibility, effectively balancing speed with catchy hooks that linger long after listening.
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Crushed Beyond Dust — This track exemplifies the band's ability to fuse relentless aggression with intricate guitar work, making it a memorable highlight that resonates with fans of extreme metal.
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...And Into the Flame — Closing out the album, this track displays a dynamic shift in intensity and atmosphere, providing a powerful conclusion that reflects the thematic depth of the record.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album combines aggressive thrash elements with melodic intricacies, showcasing strong musicianship and varied dynamics.

What we noticed

The album features rapid tempo shifts, with several tracks alternating between blast beats and slower, melodic sections.
Vocals often switch between high-pitched screams and deep growls, creating a dynamic vocal landscape across the tracks.
The final track serves as an atmospheric outro, significantly slowing down the pace compared to the preceding songs.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

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 Submit to the Suffering 2:11
2 Longing for Domination 2:42
3 Where the Light Has Failed 2:13
4 Released From the Catacombs 3:13
5 Stand Fight and Die 3:26
6 The Despoiler of Human Life 2:23
7 Crushed Beyond Dust 2:29
8 Blinding Black Rage 2:31
9 Gorge Upon My Soul 3:37
10 Repulsive Salvation 3:35
11 Strangled by Unseen Hands 2:49
12 ...And Into the Flame 3:38

What to play next

Listen next

Forever Abomination

2011

Go back to

Beyond the Permafrost

2007

Full Skeletonwitch discography Artists like Skeletonwitch

extreme metal thrash metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata