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'Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend!
by
'Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend! Image
Metascore
81

Universal acclaim - based on 34 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 68 Ratings

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Top Track

Mladic
INSTRUMENTAL... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 34
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 34
  3. Negative: 0 out of 34
  1. The Guardian
    Nov 15, 2012
    100
    The Godspeed ethos of wordlessly eliciting universal truths is remains as devastatingly effective as ever.
  2. Sputnikmusic
    Nov 15, 2012
    90
    'Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend! is a truly unforgettable experience.
  3. Prefix Magazine
    Nov 15, 2012
    85
    The album lives up to its name in every way on this powerful, bruising, yet generous record.
  4. DIY Magazine
    Nov 15, 2012
    80
    They use a quiet/loud formula to epic create drone-filled symphonies, which rumble, crackle and erupt perfectly.
  5. Exclaim
    Nov 15, 2012
    80
    It may take a while before 'Allelujah! Don't Bend! Ascend! is accepted amongst the ranks of their earlier work, if that ever happens, but ultimately, this is the same epic, mystifying GY!BE as always.
  6. AllMusic
    Nov 15, 2012
    70
    Given the discipline and experimentation in the short pieces, and in the creative imagination displayed in rearranging the longer ones to accommodate a larger band, 'Allelujah! Don't Bend Ascend proves, that GY!BE still has plenty of captivating things to say.
  7. The Independent on Sunday (UK)
    Nov 15, 2012
    60
    It's all a bit "junior school music project" at times, and there's nothing John Cale wasn't doing half a century ago, but it's nevertheless an impressive work.

See all 34 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Vampire25
    Dec 17, 2012
    9
    An almost perfect album. Godspeed You! Black Emperor return with guns blazing on this record. 53 minute album containing only 4 tracks. TheAn almost perfect album. Godspeed You! Black Emperor return with guns blazing on this record. 53 minute album containing only 4 tracks. The opener "Mladic" is quite the opener. It's nearly 20 minutes long and completely KICKS ASS. They have a knack for small details and texture to their songs. It almost seems like the song sounds different each time I listen to it because I always catch new things about it. It's a difficult album at first though. Really difficult. It's one of those albums that'll click with you one day. All In All, if you have the patience, give this beautiful album a listen. It'll blow you away. A-… Expand
  2. kermie_the_frog
    Jan 5, 2020
    9
    This challenging and bleak record has one of the most gripping and brilliant opening tracks I've ever heard. Besides Lift Your Skinny Fists, IThis challenging and bleak record has one of the most gripping and brilliant opening tracks I've ever heard. Besides Lift Your Skinny Fists, I think this is their best record to date.… Expand
  4. agunsux
    Dec 9, 2012
    8
    At a time where post-rock is more a joke than a reputable genre, Godspeed You! Black Emperor return from Valhalla to show the world how it
  5. Rustune
    Apr 25, 2013
    8
    Life in a soundtrack. There are the drones and then there are the pieces that sound like classic Godspeed doing there dark yet sentimentalLife in a soundtrack. There are the drones and then there are the pieces that sound like classic Godspeed doing there dark yet sentimental look on the world. This album has beauty. It has strength. Most of all though it has you, its listener who it will toy with until its very end...… Expand
  6. All_ButTrU4
    Dec 14, 2021
    7
    Spellbinding four tracks that take you on a dark 53min journey down decay,solitude and loneliness. Watching a documentary about social declineSpellbinding four tracks that take you on a dark 53min journey down decay,solitude and loneliness. Watching a documentary about social decline whilst numb and scrolling through your iphone,barely paying attention to either action.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

92
#92 Best Album of 2012

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