The Valley

Whitechapel - The Valley
Critic Score
Based on 7 reviews
2019 Ratings: #23 / 805
User Score
Based on 207 ratings
2019 Rank: #508
Liked by 23 people
March 29, 2019 / Release Date
LP / Format
Metal Blade / Label
Sign In to rate and review

CRITIC REVIEWS

90
Exclaim!

While it's tough to imagine Whitechapel ever topping This Is Exile — one of the most important deathcore albums ever — this record is an extremely close second. The Valley solidifies the band in their current musical direction and is easily Whitechapel's most diverse and well-composed album.

90
Metal Injection
All I can say is that this is definitely one of the most well-written metal albums I have heard in quite some time. The interplay of the heavy and the melancholy is done beautifully and makes you want to continue listening to the album all the way through, and not just want to skip to other parts.
90
MetalSucks

Throw all of your expectations for a Whitechapel album out the proverbial window; The Valley is on a completely different level. Be excited. Be very, very excited.

83
Consequence of Sound

Thanks to a unique blend of instrumentation, excellent vocal talent, and poetic lyricism, Whitechapel’s The Valley takes its place among the upper ranks of the band’s discography.

80
AllMusic

While most of the band's albums in the 2010s have warranted repeated listenings to absorb, The Valley requires repeats just to get a handle on how much this outfit's approach has developed. Though some fans wishing it were still 2008 may disagree, most fans will embrace Whitechapel's new progression as natural, necessary, and welcome.

80
Kerrang!
Their confidence in holding back the fury also serves them well, not doing so just to make the heavier parts seem heavier, making the whole thing flow seamlessly, carrying Whitechapel almost effortlessly to the proverbial next level.
El_Bark
40

i fell asleep like 6 times trying to listen to this, this is just an uneventful metal album with its highest points still being boring and done better by other bands

Silver
70

Considering how one-dimensional this genre is known to be, props to Whitechapel for putting out something that is slightly out of the box. Some great atmospheres and Phil's deep clean vocals really stand out. Despite some weird hitting lyrics and meat and potatoes, average deathcore here and there, this is a refreshing listen. "Doom Woods" is a must check out.

97

The only song I have any complaint about is Doom Woods and that is still a song I really don’t mind hearing at all. Whitechapel really expanded their sound on songs like Hickory Creek and Third Depth. This is something I come back to often and it never disappoints.

Blooperboyblue
95

This album is in my opinion their best. The masterclass in storytelling throughout, going in-depth into their vocalist Phil Bozeman's troubling past. The vocals are as good as ever in this with songs such as brimstone or black bear being their heaviest songs in years. They also incorporate clean vocals which is a neat touch and really adds to the storytelling and creativity without being overdone. The only thing holding this back from 100 is that the instrumentals themselves are a bit ... read more

Kertia
100

like i replied on @TessituraET review on the infant annihilator album however the fuck you spell it "the battle of thgiuehguhtuij", i agree that album is the best deathcore album from a music, production, and just overall standpoint. it's not my favourite deathcore album, however. that title goes to this beast

favourite track: Lovelace (100/100), Third Depth (100/100), and We Are One (100/100)
least favourite track: The Other Side (95/100)

GIF__
95

fire

Purchasing The Valley from Amazon helps support Album of the Year. Or consider a donation?


Added on: November 3, 2018