Gold & Grey
Baroness · 2019
60 min · 17 tracks · progressive metal
A sprawling tapestry of heavy riffs and atmospheric melodies interwoven with introspective lyrics and dynamic shifts in intensity.
Top tracks — play these first
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Front Toward Enemy — This track opens the album with a powerful blend of aggressive riffs and soaring melodies, setting the tone for the duality present throughout the record.
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Seasons — A standout moment that highlights Baroness's ability to balance heaviness with melodic introspection, this track captures the overarching themes of change and resilience.
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I’d Do Anything — This song features an emotional intensity that is both raw and reflective, illustrating the personal struggles faced by the band during its creation.
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Cold-Blooded Angels — This track combines intricate instrumentation with haunting lyrics, representing a pivotal moment in the album where vulnerability meets strength.
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 has some unevenness in pacing due to its length.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate extended instrumental sections, allowing for atmospheric build-ups before returning to more aggressive motifs.
- The lyrics often reflect introspective themes, with vocal delivery varying from melodic singing to harsh screams, enhancing the emotional impact.
- 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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7/10
- 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
- dynamic range with emotional depth
- wave-like pacing that captivates
- intricate soundscapes for focus
- ideal for reflective listening
- experimentation that rewards attention
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward, catchy songs
- seek immediate gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2019, 'Gold & Grey' marks Baroness's fifth studio album and their first since the departure of guitarist Nick Jost. Positioned after the critically acclaimed 'Purple,' this album showcases a maturation in their sound, blending elements of progressive and sludge metal with a more melodic approach.
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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I’d Do Anything
The bridge introduces a shift in perspective, revealing deep-seated vulnerabilities through poignant reflections on sacrifice and longing.
By altering the tone mid-song, it creates a stark contrast that emphasizes the emotional weight of the narrative.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Front Toward Enemy 3:44
- 2 I’m Already Gone 3:50
- 3 Seasons 4:26
- 4 Sevens 2:05
- 5 Tourniquet 5:45
- 6 Anchor’s Lament 1:39
- 7 Throw Me an Anchor 4:00
- 8 I’d Do Anything 4:10
- 9 Blankets of Ash 1:04
- 10 Emmett-Radiating Light 4:12
- 11 Cold-Blooded Angels 5:38
Disc 2
- 1 Crooked Mile 0:41
- 2 Broken Halo 4:24
- 3 Can Oscura 2:01
- 4 Borderlines 6:16
- 5 Assault on East Falls 2:19
- 6 Pale Sun 4:14
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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