Curse of Existence
Miss May I · 2022
37 min · 10 tracks · thrash metal
A relentless barrage of aggressive riffs and soaring melodies that capture the turmoil of existence and resilience.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Earth Shaker — This track exemplifies the album's core theme of struggle and empowerment through its driving rhythms and powerful chorus. The blend of melodic elements with aggressive instrumentation showcases the band's signature style.
-
→
Born Destroyers — With its anthemic quality and fierce lyrics, this song stands out as a rallying cry against adversity while emphasizing unity among listeners. Its infectious hook makes it a memorable highlight of the album.
-
→
Savior to Self — This track features introspective lyrics that explore themes of self-acceptance and personal growth, setting it apart from the more aggressive songs. The emotional depth combined with heavy instrumentation highlights the band's versatility.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong songwriting and production but remains within established thrash metal conventions.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track that sets a relentless pace, maintaining aggressive riffs and fast tempos throughout the first half.
- Several tracks feature dual guitar harmonies that create a dense wall of sound, while the vocals alternate between melodic singing and harsh screams.
- The last two tracks slow down slightly, introducing more atmospheric elements and introspective lyrics, providing a contrast to the earlier intensity.
- 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
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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 for focused listening
- aggressive energy for workout sessions
- existential themes for deep reflection
- intricate riffs demand active engagement
- mid-tempo resilience through adversity
Maybe skip if you
- prefer light-hearted, upbeat music
- seek immediate gratification in tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2022, 'Curse of Existence' is Miss May I's sixth studio album, following their 2019 release, 'Shadows Inside.' At this point in their career, the band continued to solidify their presence in the thrash metal scene, showcasing a matured sound while maintaining their energetic roots.
- Stylistic neighbors
- August Burns Red· Parkway Drive· As I Lay Dying
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 A Smile That Does Not Exist 3:32
- 2 Earth Shaker 3:23
- 3 Bleed Together 4:30
- 4 Into Oblivion 4:15
- 5 Hollow Vessel 4:10
- 6 Free Fall 3:18
- 7 Born Destroyers 3:56
- 8 Unconquered 3:35
- 9 Savior to Self 3:10
- 10 Bloodshed 3:32
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.