Hell or High Water
As Cities Burn · 2009
42 min · 10 tracks · post-hardcore
A dynamic blend of post-hardcore energy and reflective lyricism that captures the struggles of faith and personal identity.
Top tracks — play these first
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Made Too Pretty — This track exemplifies the band's knack for blending heavy instrumentation with deeply personal lyrics about self-worth and vulnerability.
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Lady Blue — A standout for its haunting melodies and emotional weight, this song explores themes of loss and longing, resonating with listeners on multiple levels.
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Gates — The closing track effectively encapsulates the album's overarching themes, showcasing a sonic crescendo that mirrors the lyrical journey toward hope amidst struggle.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong lyrical themes and dynamic instrumentation but lacks some cohesion in its pacing.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track that sets a fast pace, which is maintained through the first half before slowing down significantly in the latter tracks.
- Several songs feature layered guitar work that shifts between melodic and aggressive passages, creating dynamic contrasts throughout.
- Lyrically, the album explores themes of faith and identity, with verses often structured to build emotional tension before resolving in the choruses.
- 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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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
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 bursts of reflective energy
- cathartic moments of personal struggle
- emotional peaks and valleys
- engaging narratives of faith
- short tracks with impactful lyrics
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward structures
- want constant high-energy intensity
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on April 21, 2009, Hell or High Water is As Cities Burn's third studio album, following their critically acclaimed previous effort, Come Now Sleep. At this point in their career, the band was exploring a more mature sound while grappling with internal changes and the challenges of maintaining their identity in the Christian rock scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Underoath· The Devil Wears Prada· Thrice
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 84' Sheepdog 3:08
- 2 Errand Rum 3:17
- 3 Into the Sea 4:32
- 4 Made Too Pretty 4:06
- 5 Lady Blue 6:20
- 6 Petty 3:39
- 7 Daughter 3:13
- 8 Pirate Blues 4:08
- 9 Capo 4:10
- 10 Gates 5:47
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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