Rabid Death's Curse
Watain · 2000
38 min · 8 tracks · black metal
A relentless barrage of primal aggression and atmospheric darkness that defines the raw energy of Swedish black metal.
Top tracks — play these first
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Rabid Death's Curse — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of nihilism and chaos, showcasing both blistering speed and haunting melodies that exemplify Watain's unique style.
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Angelrape — This track stands out with its intense riffing and darkly poetic lyrics, exemplifying the band's ability to blend aggression with evocative imagery.
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Life Dethroned — The song features an atmospheric build-up followed by explosive rhythms, representing the duality of despair and fury that permeates the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong compositions and a distinct sound within its genre, though it may not reward extensive revisits.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track that sets a relentless pace, maintaining aggressive tempos throughout the first half.
- Each track features layered guitar riffs and blast beats, creating a dense wall of sound that characterizes the genre.
- The final two tracks slow down slightly, introducing more atmospheric elements while still retaining the overall intensity.
- 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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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. 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
- intense cathartic release
- short bursts of aggression
- dark atmospheric immersion
- unrelenting sonic onslaught
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of melodic calm
- prefer longer reflective pieces
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2000, Rabid Death's Curse was Watain's debut album, establishing them as a formidable force within the black metal scene. It came at a time when the genre was experiencing a resurgence, particularly in Sweden, paving the way for their subsequent rise in prominence.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Dissection· Marduk· Dark Funeral
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Limb Crucifix 4:21
- 2 Rabid Death's Curse 5:20
- 3 On Horns Impaled 2:35
- 4 Life Dethroned 5:45
- 5 Walls of Life Ruptured 4:21
- 6 Agony Fires 5:21
- 7 Angelrape 3:39
- 8 Mortem Sibi Consciscere 7:01
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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