Its a bracketed system. Album's attributes or qualities are divided into seven categories which are evaluated each within 0 - 10 point range. The overall score comes from the added sum:
CATEGORIES
1. SONGWRITING - Verse-chorus-bridge dynamics, build-ups, breakdowns, harmonic shifts, vocal engagement, emotional pull, physical activation and just plain entertainment value.
2. LONGEVITY - Balance, sense of drama, use of ups and downs, immersive qualities, cohesion of the Big Picture, satisfaction to the album as a whole with a start, middle section and an end.
3. THEMES - Insightfulness by commentary or critique, originality, emotional or intellectual impacts, alignment of instruments and vocals to the story.
4. PRODUCTION - How the album sounds, are every instrument where they should be and identifiable, the tones and recording choices, mixing vision and mastering palatability.
5. MUSICIANSHIP - Technical execution, expression and confidence, rhythmic tightness, transitions and instrument interplay, tempo control, tonal finesse and creativity.
6. CHARACTER - Identity, attitude, originality, conviction, and the sonic fingerprints.
7. THRASHABILITY - The propulsion and momentum, the core of Thrash Metal and its sub-genres.
