What makes Hallowed Ground by Skin Yard notable?

Hallowed Ground stands out for its critical reception, being praised by notable publications like The Seattle Times for its raw energy and depth. This album helped lay the groundwork for the grunge movement that would soon dominate the early '90s music scene. Released in 1988, Hallowed Ground is Skin Yard's second studio album, following their self-titled debut from 1987. At this point, the band was solidifying their presence within the Seattle grunge scene, just before it exploded into mainstream consciousness.

How many songs are on Hallowed Ground?

Hallowed Ground has 9 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

Hallowed Ground

Skin Yard · 1988

40 min · 9 tracks · grunge

Heavy, atmospheric guitar riffs meld with introspective lyrics, creating a haunting soundscape that defines the essence of late '80s grunge.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Stranger — Opening with an unsettling yet captivating tone, this track sets the mood for the album with its heavy riffs and introspective lyrics that explore themes of alienation.
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Hallowed Ground — The title track encapsulates the band's signature blend of darkness and melody, featuring poignant lyrics that reflect a deep internal struggle against a backdrop of powerful instrumentation.
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Burn — With its driving rhythm and intense vocal delivery, Burn exemplifies Skin Yard's ability to fuse aggression with lyrical depth, showcasing their place in the evolving grunge landscape.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

54 /100

Foothills

Higher than 43% of albums we've rated

The album features strong songwriting and maintains a cohesive atmosphere, characteristic of late '80s grunge.

What we noticed

The album opens with a heavy guitar riff in 'Stranger' that sets a dark, atmospheric tone, which is maintained throughout the first half.
Tracks like 'Needle Tree' and 'Hallowed Ground' feature dynamic shifts between quiet verses and explosive choruses, enhancing emotional intensity.
The lyrics often reflect introspective themes, with a focus on personal struggle, which aligns with the grunge aesthetic of the era.

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

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 Stranger 3:33
2 Open Fist 4:00
3 G.O.D. 5:26
4 Needle Tree 3:13
5 Burn 5:00
6 Hallowed Ground 3:04
7 In the Blackhouse 5:30
8 Throb 5:55
9 Op4 4:50

What to play next

Listen next

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Skin Yard

1987

Full Skin Yard discography Artists like Skin Yard

grunge

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata