Onwards to the Wall
A Place to Bury Strangers · 2012
16 min · 5 tracks · noise rock
A cacophonous blend of distorted guitars and relentless rhythms that captures the essence of urban decay and existential angst.
Top tracks — play these first
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I Lost You — The opener sets a visceral tone with its swirling feedback and urgent vocals, encapsulating themes of loss and longing that resonate throughout the album.
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Onwards to the Wall — This title track combines driving percussion and haunting melodies, showcasing the band's ability to balance aggression with emotional depth.
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Nothing Will Surprise Me — With its relentless pace and dissonant chords, this track embodies the chaotic spirit of the album while exploring feelings of disillusionment.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The EP's raw energy and cohesive sound create an immersive experience, though it may not appeal to all listeners.
What we noticed
- The first track opens with a wall of feedback that sets a disorienting tone, which is maintained throughout the EP.
- Each song features heavily distorted guitar riffs layered over relentless drumming, creating a dense soundscape.
- The vocal delivery is often buried in the mix, emphasizing the chaotic instrumentation rather than traditional melody.
- The final track ends abruptly, leaving no resolution, which contributes to the overall feeling of unease.
- 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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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
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
- short bursts of chaotic energy
- urban decay soundscapes
- existential angst reflections
- intense headphone detail hunting
Maybe skip if you
- prefer melodic, soothing sounds
- seek lengthy immersive experiences
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Onwards to the Wall marked A Place to Bury Strangers' third studio album, following their self-titled debut and Exploding Head. At this point, the band had solidified their signature noise rock sound, attracting a dedicated following and critical acclaim. The release came during a period when the band was actively touring, enhancing their reputation as an intense live act.
- Stylistic neighbors
- My Bloody Valentine· Sonic Youth· The Jesus and Mary Chain
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 I Lost You 3:43
- 2 So Far Away 2:53
- 3 Onwards to the Wall 3:48
- 4 Nothing Will Surprise Me 3:20
- 5 Drill It Up 2:57
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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