The IVth Crusade
Bolt Thrower · 1992
64 min · 13 tracks · death metal
Pummeling riffs and guttural growls unite in a sonic landscape that channels war-torn imagery and relentless aggression.
Top tracks — play these first
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The IVth Crusade — The opening track sets a formidable tone with its crushing riffs and commanding lyrics, encapsulating the album's central theme of conflict.
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This Time It’s War — Combining relentless pacing with evocative imagery, this track exemplifies Bolt Thrower's signature style while addressing the futility of conflict.
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Spearhead — With its anthemic chorus and intricate musical structure, 'Spearhead' showcases the band's ability to blend melody with brutality, marking a standout moment on the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The IVth Crusade showcases strong composition and craft within the death metal genre, marked by its relentless aggression and layered sound.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent tempo, with most tracks maintaining a mid to fast pace, creating an unrelenting intensity throughout.
- Guitar riffs are heavily layered, often featuring dual harmonies that create a thick wall of sound characteristic of the genre.
- Several tracks incorporate tempo changes that shift from aggressive blast beats to slower, more deliberate sections, enhancing the dynamic range.
- 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
- wave-like pacing and builds
- reflective moments of intensity
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1992, The IVth Crusade marked Bolt Thrower's fourth studio album and solidified their status within the death metal scene. Following the success of their previous album, 'Warmaster,' this record showcased their evolving sound while maintaining their thematic focus on warfare and battle.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Cannibal Corpse· Obituary· Dying Fetus
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The IVth Crusade 4:57
- 2 Icon 4:11
- 3 Embers 5:16
- 4 Where Next to Conquer 3:49
- 5 As the World Burns 5:24
- 6 This Time It’s War 5:48
- 7 Ritual 4:30
- 8 Spearhead 6:45
- 9 Celestial Sanctuary 4:37
- 10 Dying Creed 4:17
- 11 Through the Ages (outro) 3:46
- 12 Crown of Life 5:28
- 13 Lament 5:34
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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