Released 12 years ago this October
Coma Witch
The Acacia Strain · 2014
64 min · 11 tracks · punk rock
A punishing blend of crushing riffs and atmospheric interludes that captures a sense of existential dread and despair.
Top tracks — play these first
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Human Disaster — The opening track immerses listeners immediately with its relentless energy and thematic exploration of chaos, establishing the album's tone.
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Holy Walls of the Vatican — This track features poignant lyrical content reflecting on corruption and despair, paired with dynamic shifts that highlight the band's range.
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Observer — 'Observer' is a sprawling 27-minute epic that showcases the band’s willingness to experiment, blending heavy instrumentation with haunting atmospheres throughout.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines heavy riffs with atmospheric elements, showcasing solid craft but limited depth for repeated listens.
What we noticed
- The final track, 'Observer', is significantly longer than the others, creating a distinct shift in pacing and intensity as it closes the album.
- Many tracks employ a slow build-up before unleashing intense breakdowns, which contributes to an overall sense of tension and release.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- 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
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- back-loaded tension with payoff
- immersive experience for headphone listeners
- cathartic release through heaviness
- sustained intensity for deep focus
Maybe skip if you
- seeking quick, upbeat tracks
- prefer light, airy soundscapes
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Ambitious structure and sound marked a high point in their evolving style.
- Career context
- Released on October 14, 2014, Coma Witch marked The Acacia Strain's sixth studio album, following the well-received Death Is the Only Mortal. At this point in their career, they were solidifying their presence in the metalcore scene while exploring darker themes and longer compositions, indicating a shift towards deeper sonic experimentation.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Converge· Norma Jean· The Red Chord
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Human Disaster 3:46
- 2 Cauterizer 3:19
- 3 Send Help 3:26
- 4 Holy Walls of the Vatican 3:23
- 5 World Demise 3:02
- 6 Nailgun 4:26
- 7 Graveyard Shift 3:48
- 8 Bridgepainter 3:47
- 9 Whale Shark 3:19
- 10 Delusionalisphere 4:34
Disc 2
- 1 Observer 27:32
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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