IX
Corrosion of Conformity · 2014
41 min · 11 tracks · sludge metal
A gritty blend of Southern sludge and stoner metal, balancing heavy riffs with atmospheric undertones.
Top tracks — play these first
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Brand New Sleep — The opening track sets a heavy and immersive tone, blending intricate guitar work with dynamic shifts that showcase the band's signature sound.
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Kill Denmark Vesey — This brief yet impactful track combines aggressive instrumentation with socially charged lyrics, reflecting the band's ability to tackle serious themes within a metal context.
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The Hanged Man — With its haunting melodies and layered compositions, this track exemplifies the album's exploration of darker themes while maintaining a rich sonic atmosphere.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends heavy riffs with atmospheric elements, showcasing strong songwriting and production.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature heavy, distorted guitar riffs that establish a relentless pace before the fourth track introduces a more atmospheric sound with cleaner tones.
- The album includes an interlude that serves as a brief pause, allowing for a shift in mood before returning to heavier material.
- 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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7/10
- 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
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
- wave-like pacing for reflection
- introspective moments with interludes
- dynamic flow for active listening
- heavy sound for cathartic release
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer straightforward structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2014, IX is Corrosion of Conformity's first album since the return of their classic lineup featuring Pepper Keenan. This album marks a significant moment, as it follows their self-titled release from 2012, showcasing a renewed commitment to their roots in the heavy music scene.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Down· Eyehategod· Crowbar
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Brand New Sleep 5:52
- 2 Elphyn 4:56
- 3 Kill Denmark Vesey 2:04
- 4 The Nectar 4:12
- 5 Interlude 0:54
- 6 On Your Way 3:38
- 7 Trucker 5:30
- 8 The Hanged Man 4:16
- 9 Tarquinius Superbus 5:31
- 10 Who You Need to Blame 3:45
- 11 The Nectar Reprised 1:20
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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