Top tracks — play these first
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Who I Am — This opening track sets the tone for the album, combining heavy riffs with introspective lyrics that question identity and self-worth.
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Prison — The raw energy and relentless pace of this track capture the feeling of being trapped by one's own emotions, a recurring theme throughout the album.
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Hurt — With its poignant exploration of pain and recovery, this song exemplifies Wage War's ability to blend melodic hooks with heavy instrumentation effectively.
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Fury — This track showcases the band's heavier side while addressing themes of anger and frustration, making it a standout for fans of aggressive metalcore.
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Will We Ever Learn — Closing out the album, this track encapsulates the journey through struggle while posing reflective questions about growth and understanding.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Pressure combines aggressive metalcore with melodic introspection, showcasing strong dynamics and emotional depth.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track that sets a fast pace, which is maintained through the first half before slowing down in the latter tracks.
- Several songs feature alternating clean and harsh vocals, creating dynamic contrasts within individual tracks.
- The last three tracks exhibit a noticeable shift towards more melodic elements, incorporating softer instrumentation and introspective lyrics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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
- cathartic release of pent-up emotions
- introspective reflections on personal struggles
- energetic tracks for workout motivation
- aggressive sound for frustration outlet
- short bursts of intense engagement
Maybe skip if you
- prefer soothing background music
- seek instant gratification in tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2019, Pressure is Wage War's third studio album, following their critically acclaimed sophomore effort, Deadweight. At this point in their career, Wage War had solidified their place in the metalcore scene and were exploring deeper lyrical themes while refining their sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Parkway Drive· Fit for a King· August Burns Red
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Who I Am 3:41
- 2 Prison 2:48
- 3 Grave 3:14
- 4 Ghost 3:21
- 5 Me Against Myself 3:57
- 6 Hurt 3:15
- 7 Low 3:47
- 8 The Line 3:14
- 9 Fury 3:19
- 10 Forget My Name 3:22
- 11 Take the Fight 3:38
- 12 Will We Ever Learn 4:00
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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