Spirals cover

Spirals

Blood Has Been Shed · 2003

35 min · 14 tracks · metalcore

Frantic riffs collide with intense, guttural vocals and intricate time signatures, creating a chaotic yet captivating sonic landscape.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Age of Apocalypse — Opening with a burst of frenetic energy, this track sets the tone for the entire album, showcasing the band's signature blend of aggression and technicality.
  • →
    Greetings From the Gallows — This track features dynamic shifts between melodic interludes and crushing breakdowns, exemplifying the band's ability to juxtapose beauty and brutality.
  • →
    Weeping Willow — With its haunting melodies and emotionally charged lyrics, this song provides a poignant contrast to the heavier tracks, highlighting the band's range.

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's intricate structures and vocal dynamics create a compelling yet chaotic sound that reflects its metalcore roots.

What we noticed

  • Vocals alternate between guttural screams and melodic lines, often within the same track, enhancing the emotional intensity.
  • Several tracks incorporate abrupt tempo changes, which contribute to a sense of chaos and urgency throughout the record.
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
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 4/10

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.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • She Speaks to Me

    The narrative voice shifts from introspection to direct confrontation, intensifying the emotional stakes.

    This shift creates a stark contrast that elevates the urgency of the message, compelling listeners to engage deeply with the lyrical content.

Tracklist

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

  • 1 Age of Apocalypse 2:07
  • 2 Prion 2:22
  • 3 Greetings From the Gallows 2:32
  • 4 She Speaks to Me 2:33
  • 5 Rainman 2:37
  • 6 Uatu 3:49
  • 7 The House of Fists 1:10
  • 8 Beatnik 1:53
  • 9 Beginner's Luck 2:54
  • 10 Technicolor Jackets 2:28
  • 11 Weeping Willow 2:30
  • 12 Call Waiting (John Doe Has the Upper Hand) 2:23
  • 13 Six Twelve 3:25
  • 14 Cortisone 2:22

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata