All We Love We Leave Behind is the eighth studio album by American metalcore band Converge, released on October 8, 2012, through Epitaph Records. Produced by guitarist Kurt Ballou, the album is notable for its raw, live-sounding production and the absence of guest collaborators, a departure from the band's previous record, Axe to Fall. The artwork was created by vocalist Jacob Bannon12.
- Release Date: October 8, 2012
- Genre: Metalcore, hardcore punk
- Length: 38:32 (standard), 45:40 (deluxe)
- Label: Epitaph Records
- Producer: Kurt Ballou
Musical Style and Themes
The album is celebrated for its intense, visceral sound, blending elements of hardcore, metal, and punk. The production emphasizes a "live" feel, with aggressive instrumentation and emotionally charged vocals. Lyrically, the record delves into themes of loss, regret, and the burdens of life, with a particularly personal and introspective tone from Bannon12.
Track Listing
Standard Edition:
| # | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aimless Arrow | 2:23 |
| 2 | Trespasses | 2:43 |
| 3 | Tender Abuse | 1:25 |
| 4 | Sadness Comes Home | 3:12 |
| 5 | Empty on the Inside | 2:29 |
| 6 | Sparrow's Fall | 1:27 |
| 7 | Glacial Pace | 4:25 |
| 8 | Vicious Muse | 1:52 |
| 9 | Veins and Veils | 2:32 |
| 10 | Coral Blue | 4:48 |
| 11 | Shame in the Way | 1:57 |
| 12 | Precipice | 1:47 |
| 13 | All We Love We Leave Behind | 4:07 |
| 14 | Predatory Glow | 3:25 |
Deluxe Edition Bonus Tracks:
- No Light Escapes
- On My Shield
- Runaway
Critical Reception
All We Love We Leave Behind received widespread critical acclaim:
- Metacritic Score: 88/100, indicating "universal acclaim"
- Pitchfork: 8.6/10, "Best New Music" designation
- AnyDecentMusic?: 8.1/10
- Spin: 8/10
- NME: 6/10
Critics praised the album for its relentless energy, emotional depth, and the band's ability to evolve while retaining their core sound. The album was described as a masterclass in making "art out of aggression" and was lauded for its cohesive yet dynamic flow1256.
Notable Facts
- The album debuted at No. 70 on the Billboard 200, making it Converge’s most commercially successful release until 2017’s The Dusk in Us.
- The album’s artwork, created by Jacob Bannon, features a lunar cycle motif and is considered one of the band's most striking visual statements.
- The production process emphasized capturing the band’s live energy, with minimal overdubs and a focus on authenticity.
Personnel
- Jacob Bannon: Vocals, artwork
- Kurt Ballou: Guitar, production, engineering
- Nate Newton: Bass
- Ben Koller: Drums
Legacy
All We Love We Leave Behind stands as a defining work in Converge’s discography, praised for its raw honesty, technical prowess, and emotional resonance. It remains a touchstone for modern hardcore and metalcore, influencing countless bands in the genre186.
