What makes Hallow's Victim by Saint Vitus notable?

Hallow's Victim is often credited as a pivotal release in doom metal history, receiving acclaim for its dark themes and heavy sound. The album helped to establish Saint Vitus as a leading force in the genre, influencing later artists and contributing to the underground metal movement throughout the 1980s. Released in 1985, Hallow's Victim was Saint Vitus' second album, following their self-titled debut. This record solidified their position in the emerging doom metal scene, showcasing a refined sound and lyrical depth that would influence countless bands in the genre.

Who is Hallow's Victim for?

Hallow's Victim works well if you're into steady pacing with haunting melodies, immersive experience through consistent progression and suitable for reflective solitude.

How many songs are on Hallow's Victim?

Hallow's Victim has 7 tracks, running approximately 34 minutes.

Hallow's Victim

Saint Vitus · 1985

34 min · 7 tracks · doom metal

Heavy, sludgy riffs entwine with haunting melodies, creating an atmospheric landscape that defines the essence of doom metal.

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Top tracks — play these first

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War Is Our Destiny — This track opens the album with ferocious intensity, combining aggressive instrumentation with politically charged lyrics that set a tone for the entire record.
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Hallow's Victim — The title track encapsulates the album's haunting atmosphere, featuring a slower tempo and somber lyrics that explore themes of existential despair.
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Prayer for the (M)asses — Closing the album, this track blends melodic elements with heavy riffs, showcasing the band's ability to create an epic sound while addressing societal issues.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

Hallow's Victim showcases heavy riffs and haunting vocals, solidifying its place in doom metal history.

What we noticed

The album features heavy, sludgy guitar riffs that dominate the soundscape, often accompanied by slow, deliberate drumming.
Vocals are delivered in a haunting style that complements the dark themes present in the lyrics, enhancing the overall atmosphere.

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: 8/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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

steady pacing with haunting melodies
immersive experience through consistent progression
suitable for reflective solitude
cathartic release in heavy riffs

Maybe skip if you

seeking upbeat or fast tempos
prefer short standalone tracks

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 1985, Hallow's Victim was Saint Vitus' second album, following their self-titled debut. This record solidified their position in the emerging doom metal scene, showcasing a refined sound and lyrical depth that would influence countless bands in the genre.
Stylistic neighbors: Candlemass· Electric Wizard· My Dying Bride

Tracklist

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

1 War Is Our Destiny 4:10
2 White Stallions 5:21
3 Mystic Lady 7:47
4 Hallow's Victim 2:44
5 The Sadist 3:57
6 Just Friends (Empty Love) 5:47
7 Prayer for the (M)asses 4:54

What to play next

Listen next

Born Too Late

1986

Go back to

Saint Vitus

1984

Full Saint Vitus discography Artists like Saint Vitus

doom metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata