The Wretched; the Ruinous
Unearth · 2023
36 min · 11 tracks · melodic metalcore
A relentless onslaught of melodic riffs and punishing rhythms, blending aggression with poignant lyrical themes.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Wretched; The Ruinous — The title track sets the tone for the album, merging intense instrumentation with introspective lyrics that explore themes of personal struggle and resilience.
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Cremation of the Living — This track stands out for its ferocity, featuring rapid-fire drumming and a dynamic vocal delivery that encapsulates the album's aggressive spirit while challenging listeners thematically.
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Mother Betrayal — With its haunting melodies and lyrical exploration of betrayal, this track showcases Unearth's ability to blend heavy music with emotional depth, making it a highlight of the record.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong guitar work and varied vocal styles, but may not significantly reshape the genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a title track that features rapid tempo changes, transitioning from melodic riffs to aggressive breakdowns within the first three minutes.
- Each song typically features dual guitar harmonies, with intricate solos that are interspersed between verses and choruses.
- Several tracks incorporate clean vocal sections that contrast sharply with the harsh vocals, creating dynamic shifts in intensity 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
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
- relentless energy for workouts
- short bursts of aggressive intensity
- cathartic release of pent-up emotions
- focused listening during late nights
Maybe skip if you
- prefer calm, soothing music
- want lengthy, sprawling compositions
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on May 5, 2023, The Wretched; The Ruinous marks Unearth's sixth studio album, following the critically acclaimed Extinction(s) from 2018. The band continues to refine its signature sound, demonstrating both growth in musical complexity and a commitment to thematic depth.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Killswitch Engage· August Burns Red· As I Lay Dying
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Wretched; The Ruinous 4:20
- 2 Cremation of the Living 3:19
- 3 Eradicator 3:28
- 4 Mother Betrayal 3:31
- 5 Invictus 3:44
- 6 Call of Existence 3:33
- 7 Dawn of the Militant 2:56
- 8 Aniara 0:57
- 9 Into the Abyss 3:23
- 10 Broken Arrow 2:50
- 11 Theaters of War 4:49
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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