Reign of Terror - Sleigh Bells
Reign of Terror Image
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 38 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 51 Ratings

  • Summary: The second album for Sleigh Bells sees the Brooklyn-based indie duo adding more pop and guitar elements to their sound.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 38
  2. Negative: 0 out of 38
  1. Elsewhere it's just sweet sensation. Succumb‑-succumb.
  2. Mar 21, 2012
    80
    Reign of Terror is evidence that these kids never stopped Armageddonit even once they got punk cool.
  3. Mar 21, 2012
    80
    Packs a visceral wallop, at moments far more bruising than anything on their predecessor. [Mar 2012, p.86]
  4. Feb 23, 2012
    60
    Reign Of Terror still sounds like Sleigh Bells, but a more polite and conservative version.

See all 38 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Far more emotive and massive sounding than "Treats". Proof that you can still make lots of loud noise and display your human side while your at it. With "Reign of Terror", Sleigh Bells certainly are pushing it. Expand
  2. Darker than the debut album "Treats", Miller brings back loud shattering guitar riffs while Krauss intrigues the listener with her beautiful and catchy voice in "Reign of Terror". The difference in R.O.T. is the dark undertone based by personal traumatic experiences and influences of a horror film. The entirety of the album is intense and addictive. Expand
  3. 7
    Since I heard "Treats" the last year, I've been waited for this album. However, it was a bit disappointing. There are goods songs like "Born to Lose" or "Comeback Kid", but I wanted more.
    At least, the band tried to change a little their style. Good album. Only good and no more.
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  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") 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

See all 12 User Reviews