High Country
The Sword · 2015
50 min · 15 tracks · heavy metal
A melodic blend of heavy metal and stoner rock, infused with dreamy atmospheres and introspective lyrics.
Top tracks — play these first
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High Country — The title track encapsulates the album's blend of heavy riffs and lyrical introspection, serving as a perfect gateway into the band's evolved sound.
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Tears Like Diamonds — This track features a hauntingly beautiful melody that contrasts with its heavy instrumentation, highlighting the band's ability to merge emotion with power.
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Seriously Mysterious — With its infectious groove and catchy chorus, this song exemplifies the album's exploration of more accessible songwriting while staying true to its metal roots.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases a melodic evolution in The Sword's sound while maintaining strong craftsmanship and thematic depth.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features a consistent mid-tempo pace, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and dynamics.
- Several tracks incorporate layered guitar harmonies that create a rich, atmospheric soundscape distinct from typical heavy metal.
- 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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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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
- dynamic journey with peaks
- vibrant soundscapes for exploration
- surreal lyrical imagery throughout
- short tracks for quick engagement
- for adventurous listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward song structures
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2015, 'High Country' is The Sword's fourth studio album, following their 2012 release 'Apocryphon'. At this point in their career, the band was exploring a more melodic sound while maintaining their heavy metal roots, marking a notable shift in their musical direction.
- Stylistic neighbors
- High on Fire· Mastodon· Clutch
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Unicorn Farm 0:50
- 2 Empty Temples 3:56
- 3 High Country 2:37
- 4 Tears Like Diamonds 3:47
- 5 Mist & Shadow 5:27
- 6 Agartha 2:24
- 7 Seriously Mysterious 2:46
- 8 Suffer No Fools 2:43
- 9 Early Snow 4:15
- 10 The Dreamthieves 3:58
- 11 Buzzards 4:13
- 12 Silver Petals 2:38
- 13 Ghost Eye 3:16
- 14 Turned to Dust 3:32
- 15 The Bees of Spring 3:57
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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