Released 20 years ago
The Toxic Touch
God Dethroned · 2006
39 min · 10 tracks · black metal
A relentless barrage of dark melodies and aggressive rhythms, echoing the chaos of existence through visceral black metal instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
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On Wings of Pestilence — This track exemplifies the album's thematic focus on decay and despair, with haunting melodies that intertwine with ferocious riffs to create an atmosphere of impending doom.
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Typhoid Mary — Named after the infamous carrier of disease, this song combines narrative storytelling with aggressive instrumentation, highlighting the band's ability to address historical themes through their music.
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Hating Life — With its raw energy and cathartic lyrics, this track captures a sense of existential struggle that resonates throughout the album, making it a pivotal moment in the listening experience.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate compositions and thematic depth while maintaining a cohesive sound throughout.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a fast-paced track that features blast beats and tremolo-picked guitar riffs, establishing an aggressive tone.
- Several tracks incorporate tempo changes, shifting from rapid sections to slower, more melodic passages that create contrast.
- The lyrics explore themes of mortality and disease, with each song presenting a different aspect of these concepts through vivid imagery.
- The final track concludes with a gradual fade-out, leaving a lingering sense of unease.
- 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
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
- haunting melodies with grim themes
- short intense bursts of energy
- cathartic release of frustration
- focused listening for emotional impact
Maybe skip if you
- prefer light-hearted music
- seek lengthy, relaxed sessions
Where this album fits
- Career context
- The Toxic Touch is God Dethroned's fifth studio album, released in 2006, following their notable album, Planisphaerium. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their presence within the black metal scene, showcasing a mature sound that balanced technical prowess with thematic depth.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Behemoth· Decapitated· Dark Funeral
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Faithless 0:36
- 2 Hating Life 4:08
- 3 2014 4:06
- 4 Falling Down 3:36
- 5 On Wings of Pestilence 5:01
- 6 The Day You Died 4:04
- 7 Away From Emptiness 3:05
- 8 Macabre World 4:04
- 9 Typhoid Mary 5:49
- 10 Fail to Exist 4:43
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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