What makes With Roots Above and Branches Below by The Devil Wears Prada notable?

The album received significant acclaim within the metalcore community, debuting at number 11 on the Billboard 200 and being praised for its innovative blend of aggressive and melodic styles. Tracks like 'Dez Moines' and 'Assistant to the Regional Manager' showcased the band's growth, influencing emerging metalcore acts in the years that followed. Released in early 2009, With Roots Above and Branches Below marked The Devil Wears Prada's third studio album following their breakthrough record, Plagues. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their presence in the metalcore scene while experimenting with more melodic elements and diverse lyrical themes.

Who is With Roots Above and Branches Below for?

With Roots Above and Branches Below works well if you're into energetic workout motivation, short, punchy listening sessions and dynamic emotional journeys.

How many songs are on With Roots Above and Branches Below?

With Roots Above and Branches Below has 11 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

With Roots Above and Branches Below

The Devil Wears Prada · 2009

40 min · 11 tracks · metalcore

A whirlwind of technical riffs and aggressive vocals intertwined with melodic interludes creates a dynamic metalcore experience.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Dez Moines — This track exemplifies the balance between heavy instrumentals and catchy hooks, showcasing the band's ability to create anthemic choruses that resonate with fans.
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Assistant to the Regional Manager — The song features intricate guitar work and dynamic shifts in intensity, making it a standout representation of the album's technical prowess.
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Wapakalypse — With its engaging narrative and a blend of ferocity and melody, this track illustrates the band's thematic depth while maintaining high energy throughout.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album combines technicality and melody effectively, marking a solid entry in the metalcore genre.

What we noticed

The album features rapid shifts between aggressive breakdowns and melodic interludes, creating a dynamic contrast throughout.
Several tracks incorporate clean vocals alongside harsh screams, enhancing the emotional range of the music.

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

Influence 4/10

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

energetic workout motivation
short, punchy listening sessions
dynamic emotional journeys
introspective lyrical exploration

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in early 2009, With Roots Above and Branches Below marked The Devil Wears Prada's third studio album following their breakthrough record, Plagues. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their presence in the metalcore scene while experimenting with more melodic elements and diverse lyrical themes.
Stylistic neighbors: August Burns Red· Parkway Drive· Killswitch Engage

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Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Wapakalypse

The bridge introduces a sudden shift in tempo and intensity, reflecting a chaotic internal struggle without explicitly naming it.

This structural change emphasizes emotional turmoil, pulling listeners into a visceral experience that contrasts with the preceding sections.