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CRITIC REVIEWS
90
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
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.
Whitechapel is definitely some of the best in the deathcore genre, though there's not much competition. I can't stand some of the melodic switches though, it's like gas brakes gas brakes gas brakes, I wish they'd stick to heaviness because the melodic passages in some of these songs seem forced.
Favorite tracks: Black Bear, Doom Woods, When A Demon Defiles A Witch
Least favorite track: Hickory Creek
The best of Whitechapel so far. A work with a perfect combination between brutality and melancholy, I love it, it's brutal and heavy when it should be and it's melodic and melancholic when it should be.
Me watching as a single giant eyeball opens out of my wall and then disappears forever
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Track List
| 1 | When a Demon Defiles a Witch 5:04 | 93 |
| 2 | Forgiveness Is Weakness 2:55 | 94 |
| 3 | Brimstone 3:25 | 90 |
| 4 | Hickory Creek 4:56 | 87 |
| 5 | Black Bear 3:08 | 81 |
| 6 | We Are One 3:58 | 85 |
| 7 | The Other Side 3:17 | 93 |
| 8 | Third Depth 4:07 | 93 |
| 9 | Lovelace 3:48 | 86 |
| 10 | Doom Woods 5:51 | 84 |
Total Length: 40 minutes
Year End Lists
| #40 | / | Metal Hammer |
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Added on: November 3, 2018