Rize of the Fenix cover

Rize of the Fenix

Tenacious D · 2012

61 min · 20 tracks · hard rock

A raucous blend of heavy riffs and comedic storytelling that celebrates the absurdity of rock music.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Rize of the Fenix — The title track encapsulates the album's essence with its anthemic chorus and clever lyrics about resilience in the face of adversity, setting the tone for the entire record.
  • →
    Deth Starr — With its heavy guitar riffs and playful nod to sci-fi themes, this track showcases Tenacious D's ability to merge humor with hard rock, creating a memorable listening experience.
  • →
    The Ballad of Hollywood Jack and the Rage Kage — This narrative-driven song combines storytelling with musicality, highlighting the duo's knack for blending genres while delivering a satirical take on fame in Hollywood.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

58 /100
Treeline
Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album combines heavy rock with humor, showcasing strong writing and performance but lacks some cohesion due to its length.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with a title track that features a heavy guitar riff and a theatrical vocal delivery, setting a comedic yet intense tone.
  • Several tracks incorporate spoken word sections, blending narrative storytelling with musical interludes, such as in 'Classical Teacher' and 'The Ballad of Hollywood Jack and the Rage Kage'.
  • The last three tracks include a reprise of earlier songs, creating a sense of circularity in the album's structure.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
5/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

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

  • theatrical humor with heavy riffs
  • wave-like pacing for dynamic moods
  • celebratory anthems for group fun
  • short bursts of playful energy

Maybe skip if you

  • seeking serious or deep themes
  • dislike of irreverent comedy

Where this album fits

Career context
By the time 'Rize of the Fenix' was released in 2012, Tenacious D had already established themselves as a cult favorite with their self-titled debut in 2001 and the follow-up 'The Pick of Destiny' in 2006. The album marked their return after a six-year hiatus, showcasing a resurgence in both creativity and humor as they sought to reclaim their place in the rock landscape.
Stylistic neighbors
Weezer· Flight of the Conchords· Steel Panther

Tracklist

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

Disc 1

  • 1 Rize of the Fenix 5:54
  • 2 Low Hangin’ Fruit 2:21
  • 3 Classical Teacher 3:23
  • 4 Señorita 3:08
  • 5 Deth Starr 4:47
  • 6 Roadie 2:59
  • 7 Flutes & Trombones 1:29
  • 8 The Ballad of Hollywood Jack and the Rage Kage 5:06
  • 9 Throw Down 2:57
  • 10 Rock Is Dead 1:44
  • 11 They Fucked Our Asses 1:08
  • 12 To Be the Best 1:01
  • 13 39 5:16
  • 14 Quantum Leap 3:50
  • 15 Rivers of Brown 1:23

Disc 2

  • 1 Low Hangin’ Fruit 2:32
  • 2 Where Have We Been 1:30
  • 3 Tale of the Fenix 1:51
  • 4 Rock Is Dead 1:42
  • 5 Roadie 7:06

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata