Winter Kills
DevilDriver · 2013
58 min · 13 tracks · melodic death metal
A relentless barrage of groove-laden riffs and haunting melodies encapsulates the dark essence of modern metal.
Top tracks — play these first
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Oath of the Abyss — This opening track sets a ferocious tone with its aggressive riffs and dynamic shifts, establishing the album's thematic focus on struggle and survival.
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Ruthless — Ruthless features a relentless energy that showcases DevilDriver's signature blend of melody and heaviness, making it a standout anthem for fans.
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Curses and Epitaphs — This track delves into darker lyrical themes while employing intricate guitar work that exemplifies the band's growth in composition and emotional depth.
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Winter Kills — The title track encapsulates the album's core message with haunting melodies and powerful instrumentation, creating an impactful listening experience.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album balances aggression with melody but lacks standout compositions that elevate it within its genre.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features aggressive, fast-paced tracks with heavy guitar riffs and growled vocals, while the second half introduces more melodic elements and slower tempos.
- Several tracks incorporate atmospheric interludes that contrast with the heavier sections, creating dynamic shifts in intensity.
- The album's title track features a prominent clean vocal section that stands out against the predominantly harsh vocal style throughout the record.
- 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
- relentless energy and aggression
- haunting melodies with intensity
- cathartic release through heaviness
- dark themes and powerful riffs
Maybe skip if you
- prefer lighthearted, upbeat music
- seek soothing background sounds
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Winter Kills, DevilDriver's fifth studio album, arrived in 2013 as a follow-up to their 2011 release, Beast. By this point, the band had solidified their presence in the groove metal scene, showcasing a refined sound while continuing to evolve artistically. This album marked a period of exploration for the band, pushing their melodic death metal influences further.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Lamb of God· Machine Head· All That Remains
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Oath of the Abyss 5:36
- 2 Ruthless 4:09
- 3 Desperate Times 4:08
- 4 Winter Kills 4:54
- 5 The Appetite 4:46
- 6 Gutted 3:28
- 7 Curses and Epitaphs 5:04
- 8 Caring's Overkill 4:33
- 9 Haunting Refrain 4:59
- 10 Tripping Over Tombstones 3:38
- 11 Sail 4:04
- 12 Shudder 4:06
- 13 Back Down to the Grave 4:46
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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