The Art of Dying
Death Angel · 2004
55 min · 11 tracks · thrash metal
Aggressive thrash metal riffs intertwine with melodic hooks, creating an intense yet dynamic listening experience.
Top tracks — play these first
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Thrown to the Wolves — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its furious pace and intricate guitar work, showcasing the band's signature blend of aggression and melody.
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Thicker Than Blood — A standout for its thematic exploration of familial bonds and loyalty, this track combines heavy riffs with a memorable chorus that resonates deeply.
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The Devil Incarnate — This song exemplifies the band's darker lyrical themes while delivering relentless energy and technical prowess, making it a highlight of their thrash sound.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines aggressive thrash with melodic hooks, showcasing strong songwriting and production.
What we noticed
- The first five tracks maintain a relentless tempo, with aggressive riffs and rapid drumming that create a high-energy atmosphere.
- Several songs feature dual guitar harmonies, enhancing the melodic elements amidst the thrash intensity.
- The album includes tempo shifts, particularly in tracks like 'Famine' and 'Prophecy', which introduce slower, more atmospheric sections before returning to speed.
- Lyrically, themes of struggle and resilience are prevalent, with a focus on personal and societal challenges.
- 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
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic emotional journeys
- long, immersive listening sessions
- gradual builds and payoffs
- layered, dense sonic textures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2004, The Art of Dying is Death Angel's first studio album in over a decade, following their 1990 album Act III. This period marked a significant return after the band underwent changes and a hiatus, leading to a renewed energy and focus as they reestablished their sound in the evolving metal scene.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Thrown to the Wolves 7:26
- 2 5 Steps of Freedom 4:45
- 3 Thicker Than Blood 3:42
- 4 The Devil Incarnate 6:05
- 5 Famine 4:29
- 6 Prophecy 5:09
- 7 No 3:23
- 8 Spirit 6:22
- 9 Land of Blood 3:37
- 10 Never Me 5:15
- 11 Word to the Wise 4:56
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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