Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Live Forever

Released in 2001, this second studio album from Explosions in the Sky solidified their position as leaders of the 'third wave' of post-rock. Recorded in Baltimore after a grueling van trip from Austin, the album captures a raw, more aggressive energy than their debut, 'How Strange, Innocence'. It is famously associated with the 'Angels of Mons' legend through its artwork and was briefly mired in controversy due to its release date falling near September 11, 2001, coupled with the plane imagery on the cover. Sonically, the album is defined by the interplay of three electric guitars, eschewing keyboards or synthesizers to create orchestral density through effects and layering. The inclusion of a sample from Terrence Malick's 'The Thin Red Line' highlights the album's preoccupation with existential conflict and the beauty found within destruction. It remains a foundational text for the genre, bridging the gap between the experimentalism of Mogwai and the cinematic accessibility that would later define the band's work on the 'Friday Night Lights' soundtrack.