Is No a good place to start with Boris?

Yes, No is recommended as a starting point for new Boris listeners. A relentless exploration of heaviness, merging drone metal's weight with experimental noise and dynamic shifts. Released on July 3, 2020, No marks Boris's 25th anniversary as a band, showcasing their evolution in sound while remaining true to their roots. Following their ambitious double album, LφVE & EVφL (2019), this record reflects both a maturation and a willingness to experiment further within their established genre boundaries.

No works well if you're into wave-like pacing with peaks, immersive soundscapes for deep listening and cathartic release through distortion.

How many songs are on No?

No has 11 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

No

Boris · 2020

40 min · 11 tracks · noise rock

A relentless exploration of heaviness, merging drone metal's weight with experimental noise and dynamic shifts.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Genesis Start here — As the opening track, Genesis sets an atmospheric tone that encapsulates the album's blend of heaviness and experimental textures, drawing listeners into its sonic landscape.
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Anti‐Gone — This track features a concise yet impactful arrangement that highlights the band's ability to create tension through minimalist instrumentation and haunting melodies.
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Temple of Hatred — At just over two minutes, Temple of Hatred delivers a fierce burst of intensity, exemplifying Boris's knack for creating powerful moments within brief compositions.
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Loveless — Spanning over six minutes, Loveless contrasts melodic elements with heavy riffs, showcasing the band's signature fusion of beauty and brutality in their music.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

No showcases Boris's heavy sound with dynamic shifts and cohesive structure, reflecting their evolution in noise rock.

What we noticed

The first track, 'Genesis', introduces a slow build of layered guitars and feedback that sets a heavy tone for the album.
Several tracks feature abrupt tempo shifts, with 'HxCxHxC -Perforation Line-' transitioning from a slow drone to frenetic bursts of noise.
The album includes moments of silence between tracks, creating a stark contrast that emphasizes the heaviness of the surrounding material.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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 with peaks
immersive soundscapes for deep listening
cathartic release through distortion
dynamic exploration of emotional contrasts

Maybe skip if you

prefer straightforward song structures
seek instant gratification

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Showcases Boris's evolution and received critical acclaim for its cohesive sound.
Themes: sonic heaviness· experimental noise landscapes· temporal disorientation
Career context: Released on July 3, 2020, No marks Boris's 25th anniversary as a band, showcasing their evolution in sound while remaining true to their roots. Following their ambitious double album, LφVE & EVφL (2019), this record reflects both a maturation and a willingness to experiment further within their established genre boundaries.
Stylistic neighbors: EARTH· Sleep· Pelican