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Nighttime Stories Image
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 4 Ratings

  • Summary: The first full-length release in six year for the Chicago instrumental post-metal band in six years was produced by Sanford Parker.
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  • Record Label: Southern Lord
  • Genre(s): Post-Rock, Heavy Metal, Doom Metal, Stoner Metal, Instrumental Rock
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Jun 7, 2019
    88
    Their largely instrumental compositions, for all their technical prowess, have always been visceral, less about conjuring air-guitar solos than melodies you can hum a week after hearing them. They double down on that approach on “Nighttime Stories.”
  2. Jun 7, 2019
    80
    Nighttime Stories is the most memorable Pelican album since 2009's What We All Come to Need. They're showing no signs yet of slowing down yet.
  3. Jun 7, 2019
    80
    True to its title, Nighttime Stories' best moments appear late.
  4. Jul 8, 2019
    80
    This is a complete change of mood to everything they've produced previously, for the better; here they sound alive and excited to be playing. It's encouraging to note that everything hangs together very well, strung together by the imperious guitars.
  5. Jul 22, 2019
    80
    Through the years, the band has sculpted their sound into full-fledged metal, and as the burly, serpentine tracks Arteries of Blacktop and Full Moon, Black Water attest, they incorporate palm-muted riffs and Sabbathy doom with much aplomb—even if the latter closes the album with delicate, melancholic guitars, saying goodbye to their departed loved ones with gentle compassion.
  6. Jun 19, 2019
    76
    Nighttime Stories plays like one seamless expression—its 50-minute runtime passes remarkably quickly—but it’s a statement heavy with meaning and memories.
  7. Jul 18, 2019
    70
    Nighttime Stories is a solid record from a unique band. Heavy metal is a genre born on riffs, and Pelican has those in spades. Purely instrumental records may be difficult to pull off, but Pelican has more than enough brains and brawn to show how well it can be done.

See all 8 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of
  2. Mixed: 0 out of
  3. Negative: 0 out of