This Is Meant to Hurt You
These Arms Are Snakes · 2003
23 min · 5 tracks · post-hardcore
A frenetic blend of chaotic rhythms and dissonant melodies captures the raw energy of early 2000s post-hardcore.
Top tracks — play these first
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Riding the Grape Dragon — Opening with a dynamic blend of heavy instrumentation and intricate lyrics, this track sets a tone that balances aggression with melodic undertones.
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Drinking From the Necks of the Ones You Love — This lengthy track showcases the band's ability to build tension and release it dramatically, encapsulating their signature sound while exploring complex emotional themes.
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Run It Through the Dog — With its relentless pace and sharp lyrical imagery, this track exemplifies the band's knack for blending chaos with introspective moments, making it a standout in their catalog.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The EP showcases strong contrasts in vocals and chaotic instrumentation, marking it as a notable entry in post-hardcore.
What we noticed
- The first track opens with a rapid tempo and aggressive guitar riffs, setting a chaotic tone that persists throughout the EP.
- Vocals alternate between melodic singing and harsh screaming, creating a dynamic contrast that engages the listener.
- The final track concludes with a drawn-out instrumental section that gradually fades out, leaving a lingering sense of tension.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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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
- frenetic bursts of chaotic energy
- short, intense listening experiences
- raw emotional catharsis in tracks
- dynamic shifts in rhythm and
Maybe skip if you
- prefer calm and soothing sounds
- want lengthy, immersive albums
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on January 1, 2003, 'This Is Meant to Hurt You' was These Arms Are Snakes' debut album, following their formation in 2002. The band had quickly garnered attention within the post-hardcore scene, building on their members' previous experiences with established acts like Botch and Kill Sadie.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Botch· The Blood Brothers· At the Drive-In
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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The Blue Rose
The verse dramatically shifts from abstract imagery to a direct confrontation with personal fears.
This shift in tone creates an intense juxtaposition that deepens the listener's engagement with the emotional landscape of the song.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Riding the Grape Dragon 3:44
- 2 Run It Through the Dog 5:36
- 3 Diggers of Ditches Everywhere 3:27
- 4 The Blue Rose 4:22
- 5 Drinking From the Necks of the Ones You Love 6:03
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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