The Return
Nonpoint · 2014
45 min · 13 tracks · alternative metal
A visceral blend of aggressive riffs and melodic hooks that encapsulate the raw energy of modern alternative metal.
Top tracks — play these first
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Breaking Skin — This track encapsulates the album’s theme of personal struggle through its driving rhythm and cathartic vocal delivery, making it an anthem for resilience.
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The Return — The title track stands out for its introspective lyrics and powerful instrumentation, serving as a manifesto for the band's comeback while inviting listeners into their journey.
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Misery — With its dynamic shifts between heavy verses and melodic choruses, this song exemplifies Nonpoint's ability to balance aggression with emotional depth, showcasing their musical evolution.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album combines aggressive and melodic elements but lacks a strong cohesive flow across its length.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album maintains a high energy level with aggressive guitar riffs and driving percussion, while the second half introduces more melodic elements.
- Several tracks feature alternating vocal styles, including clean singing and harsh screams, creating dynamic contrasts throughout the record.
- The final track ends with a gradual fade-out, leaving a lingering sense of unresolved tension.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- 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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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
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- punchy tracks that energize quickly
- cathartic releases of pent-up emotion
- short bursts of intense reflection
- late-night driving with intensity
Maybe skip if you
- prefer lengthy, immersive albums
- seek softer, more melodic sounds
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Shows continued vitality and solidifies their sound in a later phase of their career.
- Career context
- Released in early 2014, The Return marked Nonpoint's first album after a self-imposed hiatus. It followed their previous album, Miracle, which came out in 2010, and showcased a refreshed sound while retaining their signature nu-metal edge. At this point in their career, they aimed to reconnect with fans and re-establish their presence in the evolving rock landscape.
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Goodbye Letters
A poignant reflection on loss surfaces when the lyrics confront unresolved emotions directly linked to farewell.
The lyrical choice to address these feelings without euphemism creates a stark honesty that amplifies the song's emotional weight.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Pins and Needles 4:18
- 2 Breaking Skin 2:54
- 3 Razors 3:21
- 4 Misery 3:09
- 5 The Return 4:02
- 6 Take Apart This World 3:35
- 7 Forcing Hands 3:35
- 8 Goodbye Letters 3:13
- 9 Never Ending Hole 3:10
- 10 Widowmaker 4:21
- 11 Never Cared Before 3:29
- 12 F**K’D 3:01
- 13 Know Myself 3:31
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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