What makes Slow Forever by Cobalt notable?

'Slow Forever' received widespread acclaim for its innovative approach to black metal, securing a place on many year-end lists and affirming Cobalt's status within the genre. The album was noted for its ambitious compositions and emotional depth, elevating discussions around the evolution of black metal aesthetics. Released on January 1, 2016, 'Slow Forever' is Cobalt's first album following the departure of founding member Phil McSorley, marking a significant transition in the band’s lineup. This album follows their critically acclaimed 2009 release 'Gin,' positioning Cobalt at a pivotal moment where they sought to redefine their sound amidst personnel changes.

How many songs are on Slow Forever?

Slow Forever has 12 tracks, running approximately 84 minutes.

Released 10 years ago

Slow Forever

Cobalt · 2016

84 min · 12 tracks · black metal

A sprawling amalgamation of black metal ferocity and ambient textures, creating an immersive auditory experience that explores themes of despair.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Hunt the Buffalo — This track opens the album with a visceral intensity that encapsulates the album's overarching themes of conflict and survival, setting a powerful tone.
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King Rust — With its layered instrumentation and atmospheric shifts, this track exemplifies Cobalt's ability to blend aggression with introspection, showcasing their musical evolution.
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Slow Forever — The title track serves as a haunting reflection on mortality and legacy, featuring a dynamic structure that contrasts chaotic passages with moments of serene contemplation.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

68 /100

Alpine

Higher than 93% of albums we've rated

The album's ambitious compositions and atmospheric contrasts mark it as a significant entry in modern black metal.

What we noticed

The album features lengthy tracks, with most exceeding six minutes, allowing for gradual build-ups and atmospheric shifts.
Ambient interludes are interspersed between heavier sections, creating a contrast that enhances the emotional weight of the music.
The final track, 'Siege', serves as an epilogue, dropping the tempo significantly and concluding with a drawn-out, haunting soundscape.

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: 7/10
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.

Disc 1

1 Hunt the Buffalo 8:48
2 Animal Law 2:08
3 Ruiner 6:33
4 Beast Whip 9:14
5 King Rust 11:15
6 Breath 2:25
7 Cold Breaker 6:45

Disc 2

1 Elephant Graveyard 7:52
2 Final Will 11:16
3 Iconoclast 2:31
4 Slow Forever 9:36
5 Siege 5:38

What to play next

Go back to

Gin

2009

Full Cobalt discography Artists like Cobalt

black metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata