Prince of the Poverty Line
Skyclad · 1994
64 min · 13 tracks · heavy metal
A fierce blend of thrash and folk elements wrapped in sharp political commentary and vivid storytelling.
Top tracks — play these first
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Civil War Dance — Opening with a raucous energy, this track sets the thematic tone for the album by critiquing warfare through a satirical lens.
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Cardboard City — This song poignantly depicts the struggles of homelessness, utilizing vivid imagery that captures the harsh realities of urban poverty.
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Land of the Rising Slum — The track employs a powerful metaphor juxtaposing prosperity with destitution, showcasing the band's knack for blending heavy riffs with thoughtful lyrics.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends thrash and folk elements with sharp political commentary, creating a distinctive sound within its genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a fast-paced thrash track, followed by a shift to more melodic folk elements in the second track.
- Several tracks feature abrupt tempo changes, alternating between aggressive riffs and softer, acoustic passages.
- Lyrical themes are consistently focused on socio-political issues, with each song telling a distinct story that connects to the overarching theme of poverty.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- 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
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
- reflective urban storytelling
- long, immersive listening sessions
- dynamic emotional journeys
- thought-provoking lyrical exploration
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1994, 'Prince of the Poverty Line' was Skyclad's fourth studio album, following their critically acclaimed record 'Jonah's Ark'. At this point in their career, the band had solidified their unique fusion of heavy metal with folk influences, establishing themselves as pioneers within the genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Finntroll· Eluveitie· Korpiklaani
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Civil War Dance 5:04
- 2 Cardboard City 5:05
- 3 Sins of Emission 3:33
- 4 Land of the Rising Slum 4:28
- 5 The One Piece Puzzle 5:52
- 6 A Bellyful of Emptiness 4:57
- 7 A Dog in the Manger 6:10
- 8 Gammadion Seed 5:27
- 9 Womb of the Worm 6:54
- 10 The Truth Famine 4:32
- 11 Emerald 3:35
- 12 A Room Next Door 4:52
- 13 When All Else Fails 4:18
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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