User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 70 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 58 out of 70
  2. Negative: 3 out of 70
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
  1. Feb 22, 2012
    4
    Reign of Terror begins with the tacky canned bang "True Shred Guitar" transitions to the decent "Born to Lose" turns up the luster with "Crush" and "End of the Line" half-heartedly attempts to regain Treats badassery with "Leader of the Pack" "Comeback Kid" and "Demons" ensues with seemingly endlessly ear-rape on "Road to Hell" (nudged next to the farty shoegaze failure of "You Lost Me")Reign of Terror begins with the tacky canned bang "True Shred Guitar" transitions to the decent "Born to Lose" turns up the luster with "Crush" and "End of the Line" half-heartedly attempts to regain Treats badassery with "Leader of the Pack" "Comeback Kid" and "Demons" ensues with seemingly endlessly ear-rape on "Road to Hell" (nudged next to the farty shoegaze failure of "You Lost Me") and ends with the almost-satisfying "Never Say Die" and "D.O.A." I appreciate Sleigh Bells exploring a new direction, but the incorporation of the faux-gauze pop-rock sleaze makes the album feel awkward and just 'OK'. The beats unnecessarily take backseat while Alexis' shrill voice tumbles through radio-flavored hoops with Derek's guitar trying (and failing) to reign terror. I didn't feel that this album incorporated ENOUGH innovation, either shoegaze it to heaven and back or burn it to dust with bass-flecked distortion. The songs definitely have interesting concepts, but the ideas are not built upon nearly enough and tracks drone on in chunky sing-song loops. Expand
  2. Apr 26, 2012
    4
    To show the listener a style presented on "Reign Of Terror" it's enough to listen to the first "live" song - "True Shred Guitar". The rest is analogous outline of the same patent. The entire record is maintained in quite a specific climate. Songs do not stand out too much from one another, and what is the signature of this album - it sounds like it was recorded during the cheerleader 'sTo show the listener a style presented on "Reign Of Terror" it's enough to listen to the first "live" song - "True Shred Guitar". The rest is analogous outline of the same patent. The entire record is maintained in quite a specific climate. Songs do not stand out too much from one another, and what is the signature of this album - it sounds like it was recorded during the cheerleader 's show at a football game. Lot of chorus shouting, mass of solos and not for a moment slowing pace. This album is a bit like watching ad with no sound - initially may intrigue, but in general... Expand
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 38 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 38
  2. Negative: 0 out of 38
  1. Under The Radar
    Mar 21, 2012
    80
    Packs a visceral wallop, at moments far more bruising than anything on their predecessor. [Mar 2012, p.86]
  2. Mar 21, 2012
    80
    Reign of Terror is evidence that these kids never stopped Armageddonit even once they got punk cool.
  3. Kerrang!
    Mar 12, 2012
    80
    It's impressive to hear how Sleigh Bells rock so hard with so little. [19 Feb 2012, p.52]