Close to a World Below
Immolation · 2000
41 min · 8 tracks · death metal
A relentless barrage of intricate riffs and guttural vocals that explore themes of despair and existential dread.
Top tracks — play these first
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Higher Coward — The opening track sets a furious pace with complex rhythms and a haunting atmosphere, encapsulating the album's grim tone right from the start.
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Father, You’re Not a Father — This track combines aggressive instrumentation with deeply personal lyrics, exploring themes of betrayal and disillusionment that resonate throughout the album.
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Close to a World Below — The title track serves as an epic culmination of the album’s narrative arc, featuring extended instrumental passages that build an atmosphere of impending doom.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's intricate compositions and distinct sound solidify its status within the death metal genre.
What we noticed
- The album features complex song structures with frequent tempo changes, often shifting from blast beats to slower, more melodic sections.
- Several tracks incorporate atmospheric interludes that contrast sharply with the aggressive instrumentation, creating a sense of tension.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. 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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady pacing with relentless intensity
- explorative journey through despair
- climactic moments of emotional release
- focused listening for deep engagement
Maybe skip if you
- prefer lighthearted and upbeat music
- seek instant gratification and simplicity
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2000, Close to a World Below is Immolation's fourth studio album, following their critically acclaimed release, Failures for Gods. By this point, the band was solidifying their place in the death metal scene, showcasing a maturation in their songwriting and thematic depth.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Suffocation· Nile· Decapitated
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Higher Coward 5:00
- 2 Father, You’re Not a Father 5:02
- 3 Furthest From the Truth 4:26
- 4 Fall From a High Place 4:36
- 5 Unpardonable Sin 4:33
- 6 Lost Passion 5:40
- 7 Put My Hand in the Fire 4:12
- 8 Close to a World Below 8:19
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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