Head on to Heartache
DevilDriver · 2007
17 min · 5 tracks · melodic death metal
Riff-heavy grooves intertwine with aggressive melodies, delivering a relentless barrage of sound that defines the band's heavy style.
Top tracks — play these first
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Head on to Heartache (Let Them Rot) — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its heavy riffs and intense vocal delivery, encapsulating the thematic essence of heartache and struggle.
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Guilty as Sin — With its catchy chorus and driving rhythm, this track highlights DevilDriver's ability to combine melodic hooks with brutal instrumentation, making it a standout.
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Digging Up the Corpses — This song showcases intricate guitar work alongside raw lyrical content about confronting one's past, reflecting the band's signature blend of aggression and introspection.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The EP showcases strong riffs and varied vocals, maintaining a cohesive yet aggressive sound throughout.
What we noticed
- The first track opens with a slow, heavy riff that builds into a fast-paced section, setting the aggressive tone for the EP.
- The vocal delivery shifts between growls and clean singing, often within the same track, adding to the intensity and variety of the sound.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- 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
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- short bursts of aggressive energy
- intense tracks for quick release
- high-octane listening during workouts
- relentless grooves for driving motivation
Maybe skip if you
- prefer lengthy, immersive albums
- want softer, melodic sounds
Where this album fits
- Career context
- When 'Head on to Heartache' was released in January 2007, DevilDriver was solidifying their place in the metal scene following their successful 2005 album 'DevilDriver'. This record represented a continuation of their aggressive sound while also exploring themes of despair and heartache, marking a moment of artistic consistency as they aimed to expand their audience.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Lamb of God· Machine Head· All That Remains
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Head on to Heartache (Let Them Rot) 4:21
- 2 Damning the Heavens 2:19
- 3 Unlucky 13 4:08
- 4 Guilty as Sin 3:03
- 5 Digging Up the Corpses 3:53
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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