Released 21 years ago this October
Next
Sevendust · 2005
43 min · 11 tracks · alternative metal
A fusion of heavy riffs and melodic hooks, this album encapsulates the emotional turbulence of mid-2000s alternative metal.
Top tracks — play these first
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Hero Start here — The opening track sets a powerful tone with its anthemic chorus and themes of resilience, establishing a strong emotional connection right from the start.
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Ugly — This track captures raw vulnerability through its lyrics and dynamic shifts between soft verses and explosive choruses, reflecting the band's signature style.
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This Life — With its introspective lyrics and haunting melodies, This Life resonates deeply with listeners while showcasing lyrical maturity that marks a progression in the band's songwriting.
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Failure — This song's relentless energy and driving rhythm illustrate the band's ability to blend heavy instrumentation with poignant lyrics about personal struggles.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends aggression with melody but follows familiar patterns in its genre.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features high-energy tracks with aggressive guitar riffs, while the second half shifts to more melodic and introspective songs.
- Several tracks incorporate dynamic shifts, alternating between heavy verses and softer choruses, creating a contrast that highlights emotional themes.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- 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
- steady mid-tempo emotional exploration
- introspective lyrics with heavy riffs
- suitable for reflective listening sessions
- consistent flow throughout the album
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification tracks
- prefer standalone singles over albums
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — A solid entry in their catalog but doesn't serve as a main entry point or breakthrough.
- Themes
- mid-2000s angst· personal struggle narratives· resilience in adversity
- Career context
- Released on October 11, 2005, Next was Sevendust's fifth studio album and followed their successful release, Seasons, in 2003. At this point, the band was solidifying their position in the nu metal scene, having developed a dedicated fanbase and a distinct sound characterized by powerful vocals and intricate guitar work.
Tracklist
- 1 Hero Start here 3:47
- 2 Ugly 4:09
- 3 Pieces 3:04
- 4 Silence 3:59
- 5 This Life 4:34
- 6 Failure 3:46
- 7 See and Believe 4:11
- 8 The Last Song 3:51
- 9 Desertion 3:19
- 10 Never 4:04
- 11 Shadows in Red 4:26
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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