Notes from the Underground
Hollywood Undead · 2013
50 min · 14 tracks · nu metal
A high-energy blend of rap rock and nu metal, charged with aggressive vocals and anthemic hooks.
Top tracks — play these first
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Dead Bite Start here — As the album opener, it sets a frenetic pace with heavy guitar riffs and aggressive lyrics that encapsulate the record's overall intensity.
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We Are — This anthemic track serves as a rallying cry for unity among misfits, featuring soaring choruses that contrast with its gritty verses.
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Believe — A more introspective song that delves into themes of doubt and resilience, showcasing the band's range beyond their usual party-centric narratives.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends energetic rap rock with nu metal elements but lacks depth for lasting engagement.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album maintains a high-energy tempo with aggressive instrumentation and vocals, while the second half introduces more melodic elements.
- Several tracks feature alternating verses between rap and sung choruses, creating a dynamic contrast throughout the record.
- The album includes moments of heavy breakdowns and anthemic hooks that are designed to engage live audiences.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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 engagement
- cathartic sing-along moments
- anxious energy for workouts
- gritty anthems for rebellion
Maybe skip if you
- prefer soft, sounds
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Fan Favorite — This album resonates with dedicated fans, maintaining the band's signature sound.
- Themes
- underground rebellion· personal struggle· crowd anthem empowerment
- Career context
- Released on January 8, 2013, 'Notes from the Underground' is Hollywood Undead's third studio album, following their commercial success with 'American Tragedy' in 2011. At this point, the band was solidifying their identity within the rap rock and nu metal scenes, experimenting with darker themes and a heavier sound while maintaining their signature party anthems.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Linkin Park· Papa Roach· Korn
Tracklist
- 1 Dead Bite Start here 3:38
- 2 From the Ground 3:45
- 3 Another Way Out 2:47
- 4 Lion 3:54
- 5 We Are 4:34
- 6 Pigskin 2:41
- 7 Rain 3:41
- 8 Kill Everyone 2:52
- 9 Believe 4:14
- 10 Up in Smoke 3:38
- 11 Outside 4:43
- 12 Medicine 3:26
- 13 One More Bottle 3:40
- 14 Delish 3:08
What to play next
Day of the Dead
2015
Continues the high-energy sound with fresh themes and hooks.
American Tragedy
2011
Sets a similar aggressive tone and lyrical depth leading into the current album.
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Hybrid Theory
Linkin Park
Shares the same blend of rap and rock with themes of personal struggle and emotional intensity.
Infest
Papa Roach
Combines aggressive lyrics and catchy hooks, reflecting rebellion and emotional turmoil.
The Drug in Me Is You
Falling in Reverse
Features a gritty fusion of rock and rap, exploring themes of personal conflict and empowerment.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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