Winter Hours
Tombs · 2009
56 min · 12 tracks · avant-garde metal
A brooding blend of dense riffs and haunting melodies creates an atmosphere both unsettling and captivating.
Top tracks — play these first
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How Can I Try — This track encapsulates the album's thematic depth, weaving introspective lyrics with layered instrumentation that builds tension throughout. Its exploration of personal struggle resonates deeply within the context of the record.
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The Gallows — The Gallows stands out for its dynamic shifts between crushing heaviness and melodic passages, embodying the album's avant-garde ethos. The interplay of harsh vocals and somber instrumentation highlights the band's ability to evoke emotional intensity.
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The Sun Never Shines — As the closing track, this lengthy piece masterfully blends drone elements with progressive structures, allowing for a haunting culmination of the album’s themes. Its immersive quality leaves listeners with a lingering sense of unease.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's blend of heavy riffs and atmospheric elements creates a unique sound within its genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a slow, heavy riff that gradually builds in intensity, setting a dark tone for the first half.
- Tracks often feature abrupt shifts in dynamics, alternating between crushing heaviness and haunting melodic passages.
- Several tracks incorporate atmospheric interludes that create a sense of space before returning to dense, layered instrumentation.
- 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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8/10
- 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
- brooding atmosphere that captivates
- unsettling melodies for introspection
- quiet moments of haunting reflection
- long tracks inviting deep listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat and lively music
- want immediate, catchy satisfaction
Where this album fits
- Career context
- When Tombs released Winter Hours in 2009, they were establishing themselves within the avant-garde metal scene following their debut album, Gossamer. This sophomore effort marked a crucial step in their evolution, showcasing a refined sound that would set the stage for their future explorations into atmospheric and experimental realms.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Farewell 3:43
- 2 Nancy 3:34
- 3 How Can I Try 5:56
- 4 All the Money I Had Is Gone 4:09
- 5 Polly 3:43
- 6 The Birds on the Bridge 6:02
- 7 Two Time Loser 4:28
- 8 As I Roved Out 4:08
- 9 The Gallows 4:42
- 10 When First Into This Country 4:01
- 11 The Winter Hours 3:08
- 12 The Sun Never Shines 8:36
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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