Slaughter in the Vatican cover

Slaughter in the Vatican

Exhorder · 1987

32 min · 8 tracks · thrash metal

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

53 /100
Foothills
Higher than 40% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong riffs and dynamic shifts, establishing Exhorder's unique sound in the groove metal scene.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with a fast-paced track that sets a relentless tempo, which is maintained through the first half before shifting to more groove-oriented rhythms.
  • Riffs are often layered with aggressive growls, creating a dense sound that emphasizes both speed and heaviness.
  • Several tracks feature abrupt tempo changes, alternating between thrash sections and slower, more rhythmic grooves, enhancing the dynamic range.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
6/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

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.

Tracklist

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

  • 1 Homicide 3:09
  • 2 Desecrator 6:06
  • 3 Death in Vain 4:28
  • 4 Exhorder 4:46
  • 5 Legions of Death 4:19
  • 6 Slaughter in the Vatican 6:19
  • 7 Outro 0:38
  • 8 Anal Lust 2:29

Reference: MusicBrainz