What makes White Tomb by Altar of Plagues notable?

This album received critical acclaim for its ambitious structure and depth, often cited as a significant contribution to the black metal and post-metal genres. It helped to pave the way for a new wave of atmospheric metal bands and garnered attention from prominent publications, establishing Altar of Plagues as innovators in their field. White Tomb is Altar of Plagues' debut album, released in January 2009. At this point, the band was carving out a distinct identity within the Irish black metal scene, blending elements of post-metal and atmospheric music. The album established them as a key player in the genre's evolution during the late 2000s.

How many songs are on White Tomb?

White Tomb has 4 tracks, running approximately 50 minutes.

White Tomb

Altar of Plagues · 2009

50 min · 4 tracks · black metal

A sprawling, atmospheric journey blending black metal's ferocity with haunting ambient passages and intricate soundscapes.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Earth: As a Womb — This track opens the album with a powerful combination of heavy riffs and ethereal soundscapes, setting the tone for the entire experience. Its lengthy exploration showcases the band's ability to balance aggression with introspective moments.
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Earth: As a Furnace — The second track continues to build on the themes introduced earlier while delving into more chaotic territories, illustrating the band's mastery over dynamic shifts and textural complexity. Its relentless pace is both punishing and captivating.
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Through the Collapse: Gentian Truth — This closing track encapsulates the album's essence with its gradual build-up and haunting atmosphere, leaving listeners with a profound sense of reflection. The interplay between dissonance and melody creates a lasting impact.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

66 /100

Alpine

Higher than 89% of albums we've rated

The album's blend of black metal ferocity and ambient passages creates a unique listening experience.

What we noticed

The album features long tracks, with the shortest being over seven minutes, allowing for gradual build-ups and atmospheric shifts.
Each track incorporates both aggressive black metal sections and serene ambient interludes, creating a dynamic contrast throughout.
The use of layered guitar textures and distant vocals contributes to a dense soundscape that evolves over the course of the album.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Earth: As a Womb 12:03
2 Earth: As a Furnace 15:00
3 Through the Collapse: Watchers Restrained 9:47
4 Through the Collapse: Gentian Truth 13:09

What to play next

Listen next

Mammal

2011

Go back to

Sol

2008

Full Altar of Plagues discography Artists like Altar of Plagues

black metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata