What makes Empire of the Blind by Heathen notable?

The album received considerable attention within the metal community, debuting at number 8 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. It has been praised for its skillful musicianship and thematic depth, reinforcing Heathen’s status as a significant player in the thrash metal genre. Empire of the Blind is Heathen's first album in over a decade following their 2010 release, The Evolution of Chaos. This period marked a significant return for the band after facing lineup changes and a prolonged hiatus, showcasing their evolution while remaining true to their thrash metal roots.

How many songs are on Empire of the Blind?

Empire of the Blind has 12 tracks, running approximately 47 minutes.

Empire of the Blind

Heathen · 2020

47 min · 12 tracks · thrash metal

Aggressive riffs and complex rhythms collide, delivering a potent blend of thrash metal intensity and melodic intricacies.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Empire of the Blind — The title track encapsulates the album's themes with intricate guitar interplay and thought-provoking lyrics about societal decay.
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The Blight — This track stands out for its relentless energy and powerful vocal delivery, reflecting the band's classic thrash influences while pushing modern boundaries.
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Sun in My Hand — With its dynamic shifts between melody and aggression, this song highlights Heathen’s ability to fuse technical prowess with emotive songwriting.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

Heathen's return showcases strong musicianship and varied compositions, though it doesn't fully redefine thrash metal.

What we noticed

The first three tracks feature aggressive tempos and intricate guitar work, while the fourth track introduces a slower, more melodic section that contrasts sharply.
The album closes with 'Monument to Ruin', which features an extended instrumental section that builds tension before resolving into a final, powerful riff.

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: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

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.

Tracklist

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

1 This Rotting Sphere 1:44
2 The Blight 4:38
3 Empire of the Blind 5:52
4 Dead and Gone 3:57
5 Sun in My Hand 4:54
6 Blood to Be Let 3:36
7 In Black 4:38
8 Shrine of Apathy 4:59
9 Devour 3:35
10 A Fine Red Mist 5:16
11 The Gods Divide 3:35
12 Monument to Ruin 0:38

What to play next

Go back to

The Evolution of Chaos

2009

Full Heathen discography Artists like Heathen

thrash metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata