The World Is a Thorn
Demon Hunter · 2010
49 min · 13 tracks · alternative metal
A relentless blend of aggressive riffs and melodic hooks that encapsulate the struggles of faith and humanity.
Top tracks — play these first
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Driving Nails — This track showcases a powerful juxtaposition of aggression and melody, exemplifying the album's thematic exploration of inner conflict and spiritual warfare.
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The World Is a Thorn — The title track encapsulates the album's core themes, delivering an emotional weight through its poignant lyrics and dynamic instrumentation.
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Just Breathe — This track stands out for its introspective lyrics and haunting melody, offering a moment of reflection amidst the album's heavier compositions.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album balances aggressive and melodic elements effectively, though it follows established metal templates.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features high-energy tracks with aggressive guitar riffs and rapid drumming, while the second half introduces more melodic elements and slower tempos.
- Several songs incorporate dual vocal styles, alternating between harsh screams and clean singing, creating a dynamic contrast throughout the record.
- 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
- gradual builds and payoffs
- dynamic emotional journeys
- introspective listening experiences
- long, immersive listening sessions
Where this album fits
- Career context
- The World Is a Thorn, released in 2010, is Demon Hunter's fifth studio album, following their critically acclaimed release, 2007's Storm The Gates Of Hell. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their presence in the Christian metal scene while experimenting with more melodic elements alongside their heavy sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- August Burns Red· Killswitch Engage· Norma Jean
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Descending Upon Us 5:31
- 2 LifeWar 1:52
- 3 Collapsing 3:39
- 4 This Is the Line 3:59
- 5 Driving Nails 4:07
- 6 The World Is a Thorn 2:35
- 7 Tie This Around Your Neck 3:29
- 8 Just Breathe 3:56
- 9 Shallow Water 3:44
- 10 Feel as Though You Could 3:54
- 11 Blood in the Tears 4:49
- 12 Desire the Pain 3:57
- 13 Driving Nails (String mix) 4:07
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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