The Haunted
The Haunted · 1998
41 min · 12 tracks · thrash metal
Aggressive riffs and relentless rhythms create a sonic assault that captures the raw energy of thrash metal.
Top tracks — play these first
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Hate Song — Opening with an intense barrage of sound, this track embodies the anger and ferocity that defines the album's overall aesthetic. Its driving rhythm and aggressive vocals set the stage for the rest of the record.
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Choke Hold — With its dynamic shifts between melody and aggression, this song showcases the band's ability to balance technicality with raw power, highlighting their thrash roots.
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Bullet Hole — This track features a compelling mix of heavy riffing and intricate solo work, serving as a prime example of The Haunted's musicianship and lyrical intensity about violence and despair.
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Forensick — Closing out the album, this track combines haunting melodies with brutal instrumentation, encapsulating the themes of horror and existential dread that permeate throughout the record.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong thrash elements with aggressive compositions and dynamic vocal performances.
What we noticed
- The album features aggressive guitar riffs that are consistently fast-paced, with most tracks maintaining a high tempo throughout.
- Vocals alternate between harsh screams and melodic lines, creating a dynamic contrast within the songs.
- The final track ends with a prolonged instrumental outro, allowing the energy to dissipate gradually.
- 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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5/10
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
- short bursts of aggressive energy
- relentless rhythms for workout motivation
- cathartic release through intense sound
- high-energy tracks for headbanging
- fast-paced anthems for driving
Maybe skip if you
- prefer smooth, melodic sounds
- seek calm, relaxing music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- The Haunted's self-titled debut album arrived in 1998, marking their first major release after forming in 1996. At this point, they were emerging from the Swedish death metal scene, aiming to establish a distinct identity within thrash metal.
- Stylistic neighbors
- At the Gates· Machine Head· Darkest Hour
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Hate Song 3:00
- 2 Chasm 3:09
- 3 In Vein 3:23
- 4 Undead 2:09
- 5 Choke Hold 3:44
- 6 Three Times 2:42
- 7 Bullet Hole 4:17
- 8 Now You Know 3:30
- 9 Shattered 3:17
- 10 Soul Fracture 3:45
- 11 Blood Rust 3:41
- 12 Forensick 4:17
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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