What makes Early Violence by Psychic Ills notable?

The album received positive reviews from various publications, contributing to Psychic Ills' growing reputation in the underground music community. Its exploration of themes like existential dread and emotional turmoil resonated with listeners, helping to establish the band as key figures in the modern psych rock movement. Released in December 2006, Early Violence marked Psychic Ills' third studio album, following their critically acclaimed debut Dins. At this point, the band was solidifying their identity within the psychedelic rock scene, embracing a more experimental sound as they evolved from their earlier lo-fi roots.

How many songs are on Early Violence?

Early Violence has 8 tracks, running approximately 36 minutes.

Released 20 years ago

Early Violence

Psychic Ills · 2006

36 min · 8 tracks · psychedelic rock

A hypnotic blend of drone-laden psychedelia and haunting melodies that envelops the listener in a dreamlike state.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Vice — The opening track sets a stark tone with its repetitive riffs and dissonant layers, encapsulating the album's unsettling atmosphere right from the start.
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Highway of Death — This track combines driving rhythms with haunting vocals, illustrating the band's ability to blend intensity with introspective moments effectively.
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Days — Spanning over seven minutes, this song immerses listeners in a sprawling sonic landscape, showcasing the band's knack for creating expansive, meditative soundscapes.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

57 /100

Foothills

Higher than 48% of albums we've rated

The album's immersive soundscapes and thematic continuity create a strong listening experience, though it remains niche.

What we noticed

The first three tracks build a dense, layered soundscape with repetitive motifs that gradually evolve, creating a hypnotic effect.
Tracks five and six introduce more sparse arrangements, featuring elongated instrumental sections that emphasize mood over melody.
The final track is a reimagining of the third, offering a different perspective on the same themes while maintaining the album's overall atmosphere.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 2/10

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Vice 2:25
2 Killers 4:25
3 Diamond City 4:01
4 Days 7:09
5 Highway of Death 3:51
6 4AM 6:14
7 Red-Split 3:35
8 Diamond City Redux 4:20

What to play next

Listen next

Dins

2006

Go back to

Mental Violence II: Diamond City

2005

Full Psychic Ills discography Artists like Psychic Ills

psychedelic rock

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata