The Last Kind Words
DevilDriver · 2007
45 min · 11 tracks · melodic death metal
A relentless barrage of groove-laden riffs and melodic hooks that intertwine aggression with haunting atmospheres.
Top tracks — play these first
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Clouds Over California — This track exemplifies the band's signature sound, blending aggressive rhythms with haunting melodies that encapsulate the emotional weight of the album.
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Head on to Heartache (Let Them Rot) — The song stands out for its dynamic shifts between crushing heaviness and melodic interludes, showcasing the band's technical prowess and songwriting depth.
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These Fighting Words — With its anthemic chorus and driving riffs, this track captures the resilience and defiance prevalent throughout the album, making it a fan favorite.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines aggressive riffs with melodic elements, showcasing strong craft and composition in a cohesive manner.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of double bass drumming that drives the tempo across nearly all tracks.
- Melodic guitar solos frequently interrupt the aggressive riffing, creating dynamic contrasts within songs.
- Several tracks incorporate atmospheric interludes that shift the mood before returning to heavier sections.
- 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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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
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
- aggressive anthems for workout motivation
- cathartic release during intense moments
- haunting atmospheres for late-night drives
- groove-laden riffs for headbanging
- dynamic pacing with varied intensities
Maybe skip if you
- prefer mellow and serene sounds
- seek acoustic, stripped-down arrangements
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2007, The Last Kind Words was DevilDriver's fourth studio album, following their self-titled debut and the critically acclaimed Fury of Our Makers Hand. The album marked a period of heightened visibility for the band as they solidified their presence in the metal scene, showcasing their unique blend of groove and melodic death metal.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Lamb of God· Machine Head· All That Remains
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Not All Who Wander Are Lost 3:31
- 2 Clouds Over California 4:09
- 3 Bound by the Moon 4:00
- 4 Horn of Betrayal 4:24
- 5 These Fighting Words 3:57
- 6 Head on to Heartache (Let Them Rot) 4:21
- 7 Burning Sermon 3:38
- 8 Monsters of the Deep 4:02
- 9 Tirades of Truth 5:11
- 10 When Summoned 3:04
- 11 The Axe Shall Fall 5:15
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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