Rise of the Lion
Miss May I · 2014
42 min · 12 tracks · thrash metal
Pummeling riffs and intricate melodies collide with impassioned vocals, creating an arena-ready sound that encapsulates modern thrash metal.
Top tracks — play these first
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Refuse to Believe — Opening the album with fierce energy, this track sets the tone for the entire record, featuring relentless riffs paired with passionate vocals that embody the band's spirit.
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Gone — This song highlights a more introspective side of the band, blending melodic hooks with aggressive verses that showcase their lyrical depth and musical versatility.
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Darker Days — With its thematic exploration of struggle and resilience, this track stands out for its emotional weight while maintaining a powerful instrumental backdrop that captures listeners' attention.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines aggressive instrumentation with melodic elements, maintaining a solid structure throughout its runtime.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature rapid-fire drumming and aggressive guitar riffs, establishing a high-energy tone that persists through the album's early half.
- Several tracks incorporate melodic guitar solos that contrast with the harsh vocal delivery, creating dynamic shifts within individual songs.
- The album includes breakdowns that are strategically placed to enhance intensity, particularly in tracks like 'Hero With No Name' and 'End of Me'.
- The final track, 'Last Letter', slows down the pace significantly, providing a reflective conclusion to the otherwise relentless energy of the preceding songs.
- 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
- steady energetic flow throughout
- introspective lyrics that challenge
- relentless pacing for full engagement
- for workout motivation
Maybe skip if you
- prefer slow, sounds
- want standalone single tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Rise of the Lion' was released in 2014, Miss May I had solidified their presence in the metalcore scene with three previous albums. They were emerging from their most commercially successful period following 2012's 'At Heart,' which helped them gain significant recognition. This album marked a continued evolution in their sound as they sought to refine their musical identity and broaden their appeal.
- Stylistic neighbors
- August Burns Red· Parkway Drive· As I Lay Dying
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Lunatik
The bridge shifts dramatically from chaotic energy to a haunting melody, creating a stark contrast that emphasizes the song's narrative of inner turmoil.
This structural pivot not only heightens emotional impact but also showcases the band's ability to blend contrasting musical styles seamlessly.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Refuse to Believe 3:55
- 2 Lunatik 3:44
- 3 Gone 3:38
- 4 Echoes 4:03
- 5 You Want Me 3:08
- 6 Tangled Tongues 3:43
- 7 Hero With No Name 3:27
- 8 Darker Days 4:26
- 9 End of Me 3:05
- 10 Saints, Sinners, and Greats 2:41
- 11 Burn My Pages 3:17
- 12 Last Letter 3:41
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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