Top tracks — play these first
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Rough Times — The title track captures the album's essence with its driving rhythm and reflective lyrics about facing adversity, making it an anthem for resilience.
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Skeleton Blues — This track features haunting melodies intertwined with powerful guitar riffs, showcasing the band's ability to balance heavy instrumentation with lyrical depth.
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You Found the Best in Me — An emotional centerpiece of the album, this song highlights a softer side of Kadavar with its poignant storytelling and melodic hooks, illustrating personal growth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Rough Times blends hard rock with introspective lyrics, showcasing solid craftsmanship and a cohesive sound.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks maintain a driving tempo with heavy guitar riffs, while the fourth track introduces a slower, more melodic section.
- Several songs feature extended instrumental sections that showcase the band's musicianship and allow for improvisation.
- 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
- gritty grooves for cathartic release
- late-night drives with intensity
- psychedelic flair for deep focus
- dynamic shifts in emotional tone
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek light-hearted, upbeat vibes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in early 2017, Rough Times is Kadavar's fourth studio album, following the critically acclaimed Berlin (2015). The band was solidifying its reputation within the stoner rock scene, building on their established sound while exploring new themes and textures.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Electric Wizard· Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats· The Vintage Caravan
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Rough Times 3:38
- 2 Into the Wormhole 4:17
- 3 Skeleton Blues 4:24
- 4 Die Baby Die 4:18
- 5 Vampires 4:48
- 6 Tribulation Nation 5:04
- 7 Words of Evil 3:37
- 8 The Lost Child 4:58
- 9 You Found the Best in Me 5:52
- 10 À l’ombre du temps 3:57
- 11 Helter Skelter 4:21
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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