What makes Roads to Judah by Deafheaven notable?

This album is significant for redefining the boundaries of black metal by incorporating elements of shoegaze and post-rock, influencing a new generation of bands. It garnered critical acclaim, with Pitchfork awarding it an impressive rating, helping to elevate Deafheaven's profile in the metal community and beyond. Released in January 2011, Roads to Judah is Deafheaven's debut album, positioning them at the forefront of the blackgaze movement. At this time, the band was still relatively unknown but began to gain traction within underground metal circles, setting the stage for their future commercial success.

How many songs are on Roads to Judah?

Roads to Judah has 4 tracks, running approximately 38 minutes.

Roads to Judah

Deafheaven · 2011

38 min · 4 tracks · post-metal

A sprawling blend of black metal ferocity and ethereal shoegaze textures, creating an immersive sonic landscape.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Violet — As the opening track, 'Violet' encapsulates the album's signature sound with its dynamic shifts between serene melodies and intense black metal passages, establishing Deafheaven's unique identity right from the start.
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Language Games — This track showcases the band's ability to weave intricate guitar work with atmospheric layers, highlighting their innovative approach to songwriting within a typically aggressive genre.
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Unrequited — 'Unrequited' stands out for its emotional depth, combining haunting vocals with soaring instrumentals that create a poignant exploration of longing and despair.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

71 /100

Alpine

Higher than 95% of albums we've rated

The album's blend of black metal and shoegaze creates a unique sound that has influenced many within its genre.

What we noticed

The first track, 'Violet', opens with a lengthy atmospheric intro before transitioning into intense blast beats and shrieking vocals.
Each of the four tracks exceeds six minutes, allowing for extended instrumental passages that blend heavy guitar riffs with ambient soundscapes.
The album features a dynamic interplay between harsh and melodic sections, often shifting abruptly to create a sense of tension and release.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

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.

Tracklist

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

1 Violet 12:19
2 Language Games 6:46
3 Unrequited 9:31
4 Tunnel of Trees 9:45

What to play next

Listen next

Sunbather

2013

Go back to

Demo

2010

Full Deafheaven discography Artists like Deafheaven

blackgaze post-metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata