This Present Wasteland
Metal Church · 2008
57 min · 10 tracks · heavy metal
A relentless barrage of heavy riffs and soaring vocals captures the bleak reality of modern existence.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Company of Sorrow — Opening the album, this track encapsulates the existential dread that permeates the record, with its haunting melodies and powerful lyrical themes. Its emotional weight sets a compelling tone for what follows.
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Crawling to Extinction — This song's aggressive instrumentation parallels its lyrical exploration of humanity's self-destructive tendencies, making it a standout example of the band's thrash metal roots infused with contemporary concerns.
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A War Never Won — The track features anthemic choruses that confront themes of conflict and despair, making it not only musically engaging but also thematically significant in reflecting societal issues.
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Mass Hysteria — With its fast-paced rhythm and critical lyrics, this track embodies the chaos and confusion present in modern society, serving as a rallying cry against complacency.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid songwriting and performance but lacks standout moments that elevate it beyond its genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a heavy riff that sets a dark tone, and each subsequent track maintains a similar intensity without significant tempo variation.
- Vocals are consistently delivered with a powerful range, often layering harmonies that emphasize the lyrical themes of despair and conflict.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- 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
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
- wave-like pacing with peaks
- reflective moments of personal struggle
- intense energy for cathartic release
- engaging lyrical depth throughout
- suitable for focused listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer light, upbeat sessions
- seek instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- This Present Wasteland is Metal Church's eighth studio album, marking their return after a five-year hiatus since the release of The Weight of the World in 2004. The band was navigating a period of lineup changes and re-establishing their sound within the heavy metal scene, aiming to reconnect with both old fans and new listeners.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Overkill· Testament· Annihilator
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Meet Your Maker
The bridge shifts from reflective verses to a direct confrontation with mortality and accountability, creating a stark contrast that elevates the song's impact.
This structural shift intensifies the urgency of the message, compelling listeners to confront uncomfortable truths about life and death.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 The Company of Sorrow 6:37
- 2 The Perfect Crime 4:37
- 3 Deeds of a Dead Soul 8:27
- 4 Meet Your Maker 5:35
- 5 Monster 6:25
- 6 Crawling to Extinction 4:11
- 7 A War Never Won 5:33
- 8 Mass Hysteria 4:41
- 9 Breathe Again 5:23
- 10 Congregation 5:52
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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