Released 30 years ago
The Cleanest War
Morning Again · 1996
20 min · 5 tracks · metalcore
A relentless barrage of technical riffs and raw, impassioned vocals confronts societal issues with a visceral intensity.
Top tracks — play these first
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Turning Over — The opening track sets a furious pace with intricate guitar work and urgent lyrics that immediately establish the band's thematic focus on disillusionment.
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America on Line — This track stands out for its biting critique of American consumerism, using aggressive instrumentation to amplify its message.
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Remedy — With its poignant exploration of personal struggles amidst societal chaos, this track showcases the band's lyrical depth paired with melodic intensity.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The EP combines technical riffs with raw vocals, addressing social issues while maintaining a distinct metalcore sound.
What we noticed
- The first track opens with a rapid-fire drum pattern that sets a frenetic pace, which is maintained throughout the EP.
- Each song features multiple tempo changes, often shifting from fast-paced sections to slower breakdowns, creating dynamic contrasts.
- Vocals alternate between melodic singing and aggressive shouting, emphasizing the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- The final track ends abruptly, leaving a sense of unresolved tension that mirrors the themes of societal conflict.
- 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
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
- relentless intensity from start
- short bursts of urgency
- impassioned vocals confront issues
- cathartic release through confrontation
Maybe skip if you
- prefer smooth, mellow sounds
- seek lengthy, immersive tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on May 15, 1996, The Cleanest War was Morning Again's debut album, following their formation in 1995. This album placed the band firmly within the rising metalcore scene, showcasing their unique blend of hardcore punk and heavy metal influences.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Earth Crisis· Hatebreed· Shai Hulud
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Family Ties
The narrative shifts from external societal critiques to intimate reflections on familial relationships during a climactic moment in the song.
This shift allows for a personal connection that contrasts sharply with the album's broader themes, revealing vulnerability in an otherwise aggressive context.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Turning Over 3:11
- 2 Family Ties 3:21
- 3 America on Line 4:09
- 4 Minus One 6:13
- 5 Remedy 3:52
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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