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Foundations of Burden
by
Foundations of Burden Image
Metascore
88

Universal acclaim - based on 16 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 43 Ratings

  • Summary: The second full-length release for the doom metal band was produced by Billy Anderson.
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Top Track

The Ghost I Used to Be
Strange shards All relics of the path That I have followed To dead ends Embed in wounds All doors into the past They've barred themselves But scars... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. NOW Magazine
    Aug 28, 2014
    100
    A master class in School of Iommi doom metal.
  2. Punknews.org (Staff)
    Sep 9, 2014
    90
    As long as their attention spans can accommodate the extremely lengthy tunes, any fan of heavy music would do well to pick up Foundations of Burden. Highly recommended.
  3. Austin Chronicle
    Aug 21, 2014
    89
    The dolorous gloom of Foundations of Burden should be oppressive, but Pallbearer turns pain into beauty.
  4. The Line of Best Fit
    Aug 18, 2014
    80
    [A] fantastic sophomore effort.
  5. Kerrang!
    Sep 16, 2014
    80
    This is perversely life-affirming stuff, translating misery into triumph once again. [23 Aug 2014, p.54]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. musicOMH.com
    Aug 20, 2014
    80
    Foundations showcases the development in the band’s songwriting skills.
  7. Tiny Mix Tapes
    Aug 15, 2014
    60
    Foundations of Burden is special, there’s little question of that, but the precocious virtuosity of the performance doesn’t change the fact that the material is far from challenging.

See all 16 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. indiegalaxy10
    Aug 19, 2014
    10
    Foundations of Burden, gives me a feeling of cataclysm inside of me, it has a magnificent power to do that and that's the perfect reason forFoundations of Burden, gives me a feeling of cataclysm inside of me, it has a magnificent power to do that and that's the perfect reason for make it a masterpiece. Their sophomore goes further in the death themes, solitude and even darkness, this blessing epic record has capacity for being emotional and for feel it in our blood and veins . With Foundations they're finding their real sound, it's doom metal as it finest and is finest as a beautiful , powerful, groundbreaking masterwork.… Expand
  2. adhamhany
    Sep 4, 2014
    7
    A good metal album. It has powerful segments with a heavy sense of doom, while also providing us with more quiet pieces here and there.

    I    A good metal album. It has powerful segments with a heavy sense of doom, while also providing us with more quiet pieces here and there.

    I used to be a big fan of metal, but I guess I fell out of love with it over the years. I don't hate the genre; just not as enthusiastic as I used to be about it. So while this album is great on the craftsmanship side, I didn't find myself emotionally moved by it in any significant way.

    So it's a good listen for a little while, I suppose. But nothing groundbreaking, and I probably won't remembering it by the end of the year.    … Expand
  4. All_ButTrU4
    Aug 25, 2022
    7
    Apocalyptic, cataclysmic and ugly. Their sophomore goes further in the death themes, solitude and even darkness, this blessing epic record hasApocalyptic, cataclysmic and ugly. Their sophomore goes further in the death themes, solitude and even darkness, this blessing epic record has capacity for being emotional and apathetic all at once. With Foundations they're finding their real sound, it's doom metal as it finest and is finest as a beautiful , powerful, groundbreaking masterwork… Expand

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Awards & Rankings

7
#7 Best Album of 2014

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