The Valley
Whitechapel · 2019
40 min · 11 tracks · death metal
A haunting blend of deathcore brutality and melodic introspection, exploring themes of loss and personal struggle.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Hickory Creek — This track stands out for its poignant acoustic guitar work and introspective lyrics that delve into themes of grief and vulnerability, contrasting sharply with the album's heavier moments.
-
→
Brimstone — With its relentless pace and aggressive instrumentation, Brimstone encapsulates the band's powerful deathcore roots while addressing themes of anger and retribution.
-
→
When a Demon Defiles a Witch — Opening the album with ferocity, this track combines guttural vocals and intricate guitar riffs, setting the tone for the darker narratives explored throughout The Valley.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The Valley showcases a blend of brutality and melody, with strong songwriting and production but some uneven pacing.
What we noticed
- Tracks like 'Hickory Creek' and 'Black Bear' incorporate softer instrumentation, creating a contrast to the heavier songs that dominate the record.
- The last three tracks progressively slow down in tempo, allowing for a more introspective conclusion to the album.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
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
- haunting melodies with emotional weight
- short bursts of intense catharsis
- reflective moments amidst aggression
- narrative depth in personal struggles
Maybe skip if you
- prefer light-hearted, upbeat content
- seek consistent high-energy tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2019, The Valley marks Whitechapel's sixth studio album, following their 2017 record, Mark of the Blade. At this point in their career, the band was embracing a more melodic approach while maintaining their signature heaviness, reflecting a shift in both sound and lyrical depth as they navigated personal challenges faced by frontman Phil Bozeman.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Carnifex· Thy Art Is Murder· Fit for an Autopsy
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 When a Demon Defiles a Witch 5:04
- 2 Forgiveness Is Weakness 2:55
- 3 Brimstone 3:25
- 4 Hickory Creek 4:56
- 5 Black Bear 3:08
- 6 We Are One 3:58
- 7 The Other Side 3:17
- 8 Third Depth 4:07
- 9 Lovelace 3:48
- 10 Doom Woods 5:51
- 11 Sea of Trees
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.