Released 21 years ago this October
Vermin
Old Man's Child · 2005
37 min · 9 tracks · black metal
A relentless barrage of dark melodies and aggressive rhythms envelops the listener in a grim, atmospheric world.
Top tracks — play these first
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Enslaved and Condemned — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its intense energy and bleak lyrical themes, encapsulating the band's dark aesthetic perfectly.
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The Plague of Sorrow — With its haunting melodies and powerful choruses, this track showcases the band's ability to blend aggression with melodic intricacy.
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Lord of Command (Bringer of Hate) — This track features a dynamic shift from crushing riffs to atmospheric interludes, illustrating the band's range and compositional prowess.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate compositions and strong production, solidifying its place in melodic black metal.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of blast beats and tremolo-picked guitar lines, creating a relentless pace throughout.
- The production emphasizes a dense layering of instruments, with the vocals often buried in the mix to enhance the overall atmosphere.
- 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
- relentless dark melodies throughout
- immersive atmospheric listening experience
- urgent pacing with dramatic shifts
- cathartic release for heavy themes
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of lighthearted tones
- prefer uplifting melodic structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Vermin' was released in 2005, Old Man's Child had established themselves within the black metal scene with previous albums like 'In the Shades of Life'. This album followed a brief hiatus and marked a return to form for the band, showcasing their signature blend of melodic elements and harsh vocals while solidifying their reputation in the genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Dimmu Borgir· Emperor· Cradle of Filth
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Enslaved and Condemned 4:14
- 2 The Plague of Sorrow 4:09
- 3 War of Fidelity 4:18
- 4 In Torment's Orbit 5:04
- 5 Lord of Command (Bringer of Hate) 4:51
- 6 The Flames of Deceit 4:39
- 7 Black Marvels of Death 4:21
- 8 Twilight Damnation 4:41
- 9 ...As Evil Descends 1:10
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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