Down II: A Bustle in Your Hedgerow
Down · 2002
66 min · 15 tracks · sludge metal
Heavy riffs intertwine with atmospheric melodies, creating a brooding soundscape that captures the essence of Southern metal.
Top tracks — play these first
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Ghosts Along the Mississippi — This track exemplifies Down's ability to blend haunting melodies with crushing heaviness, showcasing both atmospheric depth and lyrical introspection.
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New Orleans Is a Dying Whore — The song serves as a poignant commentary on societal decay, combining aggressive instrumentation with powerful lyrics that reflect the band's roots in New Orleans.
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Beautifully Depressed — This track stands out for its emotional weight and dynamic shifts, capturing themes of despair through its evocative lyrics and intricate arrangements.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends heavy riffs with atmospheric elements, showcasing strong songwriting and production within its genre.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features heavier, more aggressive tracks, while the second half transitions into slower, more atmospheric pieces.
- Several tracks incorporate spoken word segments or interludes that break up the heavy instrumentation.
- The use of layered guitar riffs creates a dense sound, with melodies often emerging from the background rather than being at the forefront.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- brooding soundscapes for introspection
- heavy riffs that demand attention
- cathartic release through powerful melodies
- moments of atmospheric reflection
- late-night listening with intensity
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced tracks
- seek light-hearted musical experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2002, Down II: A Bustle in Your Hedgerow is the second studio album by Down, following their self-titled debut in 1995. At this point, the band was solidifying their reputation in the Southern metal scene, with members also involved in other projects like Pantera and Crowbar. The album showcased their evolution towards a more refined sound while maintaining the heavy sludge elements that defined their style.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Crowbar· Eyehategod· Pantera
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Lysergik Funeral Procession 3:10
- 2 There’s Something on My Side 5:21
- 3 The Man That Follows Hell 4:33
- 4 Stained Glass Cross 3:36
- 5 Ghosts Along the Mississippi 5:06
- 6 Learn From This Mistake 7:14
- 7 Beautifully Depressed 4:52
- 8 Where I’m Going 3:10
- 9 Doobinterlude 1:50
- 10 New Orleans Is a Dying Whore 4:15
- 11 The Seed 4:21
- 12 Lies, I Don’t Know What They Say But… 6:21
- 13 Flambeaux’s Jamming With St. Aug 0:59
- 14 Dog Tired 3:21
- 15 Landing on the Mountains of Meggido 7:48
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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