Christmas
Old Man Gloom · 2004
61 min · 13 tracks · sludge metal
A cacophonous blend of sludge and post-metal, where haunting melodies intertwine with heavy, dissonant riffs.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Gift — The opening track sets the tone with its contrasting serene melodies and aggressive instrumentation, encapsulating the album's duality between beauty and chaos.
-
→
'Tis Better to Receive — This short but impactful track encapsulates the band's ability to convey depth within brevity, showcasing a haunting atmosphere layered with complex soundscapes.
-
→
Christmas Eve, Parts I, II, & III — Spanning over 16 minutes, this epic closer is a journey through shifting dynamics and textures, representing the culmination of the album’s themes and sonic explorations.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's intricate structures and heavy sound create a unique experience within its genre.
What we noticed
- The album features lengthy tracks, with several exceeding six minutes, allowing for extended instrumental passages that build tension.
- The final track is divided into three parts, blending ambient soundscapes with heavier sections, which alters the pacing significantly.
- 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
-
8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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.
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
-
Gift
The moment shifts from ethereal tones to an explosive climax filled with raw emotion and intensity.
This dramatic turn not only showcases the band's dynamic range but also symbolizes the thematic tension between hope and despair throughout the album.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Gift 5:47
- 2 Skullstorm 0:51
- 3 Something for the Mrs. 5:44
- 4 Sleeping With Snakes 2:33
- 5 Lukeness Monster 2:54
- 6 'Tis Better to Receive 1:25
- 7 Accord-O-Matic 7:50
- 8 The Volcano 7:32
- 9 Close Your Eyes, Roll Back Into Your Head 3:30
- 10 Girth and Greed 1:33
- 11 Sonic Dust 3:06
- 12 Valhalla 2:08
- 13 Christmas Eve, Parts I, II, & III 16:17
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.