Lay My Soul to Waste cover

Lay My Soul to Waste

A Pale Horse Named Death · 2013

50 min · 11 tracks · alternative metal

A haunting blend of doom-laden riffs and melancholic melodies, echoing the shadows of despair and existential dread.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Shallow Grave — This track showcases the band's signature blend of crushing riffs and haunting melodies, encapsulating themes of loss and regret that permeate the album.
  • →
    Devil Came With a Smile — With its compelling narrative and dynamic instrumentation, this song highlights Abruscato's lyrical depth while showcasing the band's ability to balance heaviness with emotion.
  • →
    Cold Dark Mourning — The closing track offers an immersive experience through its expansive soundscapes, leaving listeners with a lingering sense of melancholy that defines the album's overall tone.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

58 /100
Treeline
Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album effectively combines heavy riffs with introspective lyrics, creating a cohesive and immersive experience.

What we noticed

  • The album features a consistent use of down-tuned guitars and slow tempos, creating a heavy, oppressive atmosphere throughout.
  • Many tracks incorporate layered vocal harmonies that contrast with the deep growls, enhancing the emotional weight of the lyrics.
  • Several songs transition seamlessly into one another, maintaining a dark, cohesive flow that emphasizes themes of despair.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
6/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
8/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Lay My Soul to Waste 1:13
  • 2 Shallow Grave 5:18
  • 3 The Needle in You 4:16
  • 4 In the Sleeping Death 5:35
  • 5 Killer by Night 3:32
  • 6 Growing Old 3:32
  • 7 Dead of Winter 3:23
  • 8 Devil Came With a Smile 4:04
  • 9 Day of the Storm 7:40
  • 10 DMSLT 4:37
  • 11 Cold Dark Mourning 7:15

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata