Released 8 years ago this November
The Blind Leading the Blind
1914 · 2018
59 min · 11 tracks
An intense blend of black metal and historical narrative, immersing listeners in the brutal realities of World War I.
Top tracks — play these first
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Arrival. The Meuse-Argonne — This track encapsulates the album's theme by depicting the harrowing experiences of soldiers during one of World War I's largest battles, featuring haunting melodies that evoke the chaos of warfare.
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High Wood. 75 Acres of Hell — With its relentless pace and aggressive instrumentation, this track immerses listeners into the visceral violence experienced in combat, serving as a sonic representation of battlefield chaos.
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C’est mon dernier pigeon — This song stands out for its emotional weight and poignant lyrics that reflect on loss and longing amidst the backdrop of war, showcasing the band's ability to convey deep narratives through music.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album effectively combines intense metal with historical themes, showcasing strong composition and production.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of atmospheric soundscapes that blend heavy guitar riffs with orchestral elements, creating a cinematic feel.
- Tracks often shift between aggressive black metal sections and slower, more melodic passages, reflecting the emotional weight of the historical narratives.
- Several tracks incorporate spoken word segments or samples from historical speeches, enhancing the storytelling aspect of the music.
- 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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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
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
- long, immersive listening sessions
- dynamic emotional journeys
- atmospheric background focus
- gradual builds and payoffs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- In 2018, The Blind Leading the Blind marked 1914's third studio album, following their critically acclaimed release, First World War. By this point, the band had established their unique fusion of atmospheric metal and war-themed storytelling, further refining their sound and thematic depth.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Mizmor· Bell Witch· Ahab
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Beat the Bastards
The narrative shifts from collective soldier experience to individual suffering, detailing personal loss amid the larger context of war.
This shift allows listeners to connect emotionally with a single soldier's plight while maintaining the overarching theme of shared tragedy in battle.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 War In 1:14
- 2 Arrival. The Meuse-Argonne 6:20
- 3 A7V Mephisto 8:13
- 4 High Wood. 75 Acres of Hell 5:27
- 5 Beat the Bastards 5:02
- 6 Hanging on the Barbed Wire 2:28
- 7 Passchenhell 7:01
- 8 C’est mon dernier pigeon 5:22
- 9 Stoßtrupp 6:13
- 10 The Hundred Days Offensive 10:01
- 11 War Out 1:55
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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