Stone Cold Sober
Tankard · 1992
61 min · 12 tracks · thrash metal
Aggressive thrash riffs intertwine with sharp lyrical commentary, creating a relentless sonic assault that embodies early '90s metal fervor.
Top tracks — play these first
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Jurisdiction Start here — Opening the album with frenetic energy, this track sets the tone for the entire record, embodying the band's signature sound and biting social commentary.
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Stone Cold Sober — The title track encapsulates the essence of the album with its catchy hooks and sardonic lyrics about sobriety and excess, highlighting Tankard's playful yet serious approach.
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Blood, Guts & Rock ’n’ Roll — This track stands out for its combination of aggressive instrumentation and tongue-in-cheek lyrics that critique rock stereotypes, making it a quintessential example of Tankard's style.
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Freibier — 'Freibier' is a fan favorite known for its infectious chorus and celebration of beer culture, symbolizing the band's lighthearted nature amidst heavy themes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines aggressive riffs with sharp lyrics, showcasing a solid thrash metal identity while balancing humor and intensity.
What we noticed
- The album features aggressive thrash riffs that are consistently fast-paced, with most tracks maintaining a high tempo throughout.
- Lyrical themes often blend humor with darker subjects, creating a juxtaposition that is evident in the vocal delivery and lyrical content.
- Several tracks incorporate abrupt tempo shifts, particularly in the choruses, which enhances the dynamic intensity of the music.
- The last three tracks exhibit a noticeable drop in tempo, providing a contrasting exhale after the relentless energy of earlier songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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
- steady progression with climactic moments
- raucous energy for group listening
- headbanging anthems for live shows
- early morning workout motivation
Maybe skip if you
- prefer mellow background sounds
- seek short, standalone tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Solidified Tankard's reputation with energetic sound and sharp lyrics, marking a high point.
- Career context
- Released on June 9, 1992, 'Stone Cold Sober' was Tankard's fifth studio album, following their breakthrough with 'The Meaning of Life' in 1990. By this time, the band had solidified its reputation within the thrash metal scene, showcasing their unique blend of humor and social critique.
Tracklist
- 1 Jurisdiction Start here 5:41
- 2 Broken Image 5:30
- 3 Mindwild 4:58
- 4 Ugly Beauty 5:08
- 5 Centerfold 3:23
- 6 Behind the Back 4:39
- 7 Stone Cold Sober 5:53
- 8 Blood, Guts & Rock ’n’ Roll 5:32
- 9 Lost and Found (Tantrum, Part 2) 5:29
- 10 Sleeping With the Past 4:15
- 11 Freibier 3:28
- 12 Of Strange Talking People Under Arabian Skies 7:41
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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