Released 10 years ago
IV
Black Mountain · 2016
56 min · 10 tracks · progressive rock
A sprawling blend of psychedelic rock and heavy riffs, IV immerses listeners in a cosmic journey through sound.
Top tracks — play these first
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Mothers of the Sun — The opening track sets an expansive tone for the album with its layered instrumentation and evocative lyrics that explore themes of creation and existence.
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Cemetery Breeding — This track stands out with its haunting melody and driving rhythm, reflecting the band's ability to merge darkness with melodic beauty.
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(Over and Over) The Chain — A standout moment on the album, it features hypnotic repetition and intricate arrangements that encapsulate the essence of Black Mountain’s sonic exploration.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
IV showcases strong songwriting and production, with a mix of heavy riffs and atmospheric moments that reward repeated listens.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a lengthy track that gradually builds in intensity, layering guitars and synths to create a dense soundscape.
- Several tracks feature extended instrumental sections, allowing for improvisation and exploration within the song structure.
- The last three tracks shift towards a more subdued tone, incorporating softer melodies and atmospheric elements that contrast with earlier heavier riffs.
- 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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7/10
- 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
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
- sprawling cosmic soundscapes
- patiently unfolding sonic journeys
- introspective headphone exploration
- cathartic moments of release
Maybe skip if you
- prefer short, standalone tracks
- seek instant gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time IV was released in 2016, Black Mountain had established themselves as a significant force in the stoner rock and progressive rock scenes with their previous albums. This fourth studio album followed the critically acclaimed album, Year Zero (2010) and marked their return after a six-year hiatus, showcasing a matured sound while maintaining their signature style.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Black Angels· Earthless· Wolfmother
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Mothers of the Sun 8:34
- 2 Florian Saucer Attack 3:23
- 3 Defector 4:02
- 4 You Can Dream 5:32
- 5 Constellations 4:01
- 6 Line Them All Up 3:54
- 7 Cemetery Breeding 4:10
- 8 (Over and Over) The Chain 8:47
- 9 Crucify Me 4:44
- 10 Space to Bakersfield 9:04
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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