Wearing a Martyr's Crown
Nightrage · 2009
56 min · 12 tracks · melodic death metal
A relentless fusion of melodic riffs and guttural growls that encapsulate the intensity of modern melodic death metal.
Top tracks — play these first
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Shed the Blood — The opening track sets a fierce tone for the album with its aggressive riffs and intricate melodies, showcasing the band's technical prowess right from the start.
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Wearing a Martyr's Crown — This title track exemplifies the blend of melody and brutality that defines Nightrage's style, featuring anthemic choruses alongside intense instrumentation.
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Among Wolves — With its driving rhythm and emotive lyrics, this track captures both aggression and atmosphere, making it a standout moment on the album.
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Failure of All Human Emotions — This song delves into deeper lyrical themes while maintaining musical intensity, offering a dynamic contrast that adds depth to the overall experience.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong compositions and technical skill but lacks a cohesive flow across its length.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a fast-paced track that features rapid guitar riffs and aggressive drumming, setting a high-energy tone.
- Each song typically alternates between melodic passages and heavy breakdowns, creating a dynamic contrast throughout the record.
- Several tracks incorporate dual vocal styles, with guttural growls complementing clean melodic lines, enhancing the emotional intensity.
- 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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5/10
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
- steady mid-tempo intensity
- haunting melodies with aggression
- relentless emotional exploration
- immersive listening in order
- cathartic release through despair
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced songs
- skip if seeking lighthearted themes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2009, 'Wearing a Martyr's Crown' is Nightrage's fourth studio album, following their 2007 release 'A New Disease Is Born'. At this point, the band was solidifying their signature sound while dealing with lineup changes that included new vocalist J. S. Ahlström, marking a significant evolution in their musical direction.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Arch Enemy· In Flames· Soilwork
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Shed the Blood 4:13
- 2 Collision of Fate 5:13
- 3 A Grim Struggle 5:03
- 4 Wearing a Martyr's Crown 4:30
- 5 Among Wolves 4:29
- 6 Abandon 4:30
- 7 Futile Tears 5:18
- 8 Wounded Angels 4:00
- 9 Mocking Modesty 4:29
- 10 Failure of All Human Emotions 4:36
- 11 Sting of Remorse 5:21
- 12 Failure of All Human Emotions (demo version) 4:38
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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