What makes Promise by Massacre notable?

'Promise' received critical acclaim within the metal community, often noted for its complex compositions and emotional depth. It has since influenced numerous death metal bands and is recognized for its contributions to the genre's evolution in the mid-90s. Released on July 23, 1996, 'Promise' was Massacre's second studio album and followed their debut 'From Beyond'. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their presence in the death metal scene after a significant lineup change that brought new energy to their sound.

How many songs are on Promise?

Promise has 10 tracks, running approximately 48 minutes.

Released 30 years ago

Promise

Massacre · 1996

48 min · 10 tracks · death metal

A relentless barrage of guttural growls and intricate riffs intertwines with atmospheric melodies throughout this death metal exploration.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Promise — The title track embodies the album's thematic core, blending crushing riffs with haunting melodies that capture both despair and hope.
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Bloodletting — This track showcases the band's ability to balance aggression with melody, featuring intricate guitar work and dynamic shifts that highlight their musicality.
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Where Dwells Sadness — Its extended runtime allows for deeper exploration of mood and atmosphere, making it a standout piece that reflects the emotional weight of the album.
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Suffering — The relentless intensity of this track serves as a cathartic release, encapsulating the raw emotional energy that permeates the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album combines technical skill with atmospheric elements, making it a notable entry in the death metal genre.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of tempo changes, with tracks alternating between fast-paced sections and slower, atmospheric interludes.
Guttural growls are layered over intricate guitar riffs, often creating a dense wall of sound that is punctuated by melodic passages.

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: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Nothing 4:55
2 Forever Torn 4:24
3 Black Soil Nest 4:52
4 Promise 4:19
5 Bitter End 3:58
6 Bloodletting 5:40
7 Unnameable 4:07
8 Where Dwells Sadness 6:16
9 Suffering 4:32
10 Inner Demon 5:30

What to play next

Listen next

Back from Beyond

2014

Go back to

From Beyond

1991

Full Massacre discography Artists like Massacre

death metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata