Is High Rise a good place to start with Stone Temple Pilots?

Yes, High Rise is recommended as a starting point for new Stone Temple Pilots listeners. A gritty blend of grunge and post-grunge, featuring melodic hooks intertwined with raw emotional intensity. High Rise marked Stone Temple Pilots' first release after the departure of lead singer Scott Weiland in 2013, showcasing a new era for the band. This EP was significant as it introduced Chester Bennington from Linkin Park as the new frontman, signaling a major shift in their sound and identity.

Who is High Rise for?

High Rise works well if you're into steady mid-tempo melodic flow, introspective lyrics for reflection and short burst of robust energy.

How many songs are on High Rise?

High Rise has 5 tracks, running approximately 16 minutes.

Released 13 years ago this October

High Rise

Stone Temple Pilots · 2013

16 min · 5 tracks · grunge

A gritty blend of grunge and post-grunge, featuring melodic hooks intertwined with raw emotional intensity.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Out of Time Start here — This opening track encapsulates the EP's themes of introspection and urgency, setting a tone that blends nostalgia with a forward-looking perspective.
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Black Heart — With its heavy riffs and haunting lyrics, this track showcases the darker emotional landscape that the band navigates with Bennington's vocals enhancing its intensity.
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Tomorrow — Closing the EP, this song balances melancholy with hope, exemplifying the band’s growth and Bennington’s ability to convey vulnerability through powerful melodies.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

46 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

High Rise showcases solid songwriting and energy but lacks the depth and innovation of earlier works.

What we noticed

The first track opens with a heavy guitar riff that sets a gritty tone, which is maintained throughout the EP.
Each song features a prominent melodic hook, often contrasted with raw vocal delivery from Chester Bennington.
The tempo varies across tracks, with 'Cry Cry' slowing down significantly to create a more introspective moment before returning to heavier sounds.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 2/10

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

steady mid-tempo melodic flow
introspective lyrics for reflection
short burst of robust energy
for a quick listen

Maybe skip if you

prefer longer album experiences
seek high-energy party tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Introduced Chester Bennington as lead singer, marking a new era for the band.
Career context: High Rise marked Stone Temple Pilots' first release after the departure of lead singer Scott Weiland in 2013, showcasing a new era for the band. This EP was significant as it introduced Chester Bennington from Linkin Park as the new frontman, signaling a major shift in their sound and identity.
Stylistic neighbors: Soundgarden· Alice in Chains· Pearl Jam