Cheat the Gallows cover

Cheat the Gallows

Bigelf · 2008

56 min · 10 tracks · progressive rock

A theatrical blend of progressive rock and heavy metal, steeped in dark humor and cinematic storytelling.

Top tracks — play these first

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    Gravest Show on Earth — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its grandiose instrumentation and darkly comic lyrics that encapsulate the band's signature style.
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    Money, It's Pure Evil — With its catchy hooks and satirical commentary on greed, this track exemplifies Bigelf's ability to merge serious themes with accessible melodies.
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    The Evils of Rock & Roll — This song cleverly critiques the rock music industry while showcasing both technical prowess and theatrical flair, making it a standout piece on the album.
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    Hydra — A multi-part epic that showcases the band's musicianship and storytelling ability, 'Hydra' serves as a prime example of their progressive rock influences.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

64 /100
Treeline
Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album showcases ambitious songwriting and strong production, making it a notable entry in progressive rock.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with a theatrical introduction that sets a dark, cinematic tone, followed by tracks that blend heavy guitar riffs with intricate keyboard arrangements.
  • Lyrically, the album employs dark humor and storytelling elements, with recurring themes of existentialism and societal critique woven into the narratives.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

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 Gravest Show on Earth 5:00
  • 2 Blackball 7:02
  • 3 Money, It's Pure Evil 3:18
  • 4 The Evils of Rock & Roll 6:37
  • 5 No Parachute 3:43
  • 6 The Game 5:11
  • 7 Superstar 3:46
  • 8 Race With Time 4:28
  • 9 Hydra 6:23
  • 10 Counting Sheep 11:20

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata