A Map of All Our Failures
My Dying Bride · 2012
63 min · 8 tracks · doom metal
A haunting blend of melancholy melodies and crushing riffs, enveloping listeners in a somber yet profound emotional landscape.
Top tracks — play these first
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Kneel Till Doomsday — This opening track sets the tone for the entire album with its slow-building intensity and rich orchestration, encapsulating the band's signature blend of heaviness and melody.
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A Map of All Our Failures — The title track weaves together personal despair with grand instrumentation, showcasing both lyrical depth and musical complexity that defines the album's essence.
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Within the Presence of Absence — This song highlights the band’s ability to create atmospheric soundscapes through its lengthy structure and poignant lyrics, illustrating themes of loss and longing.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends heavy riffs with melodic elements effectively, creating a cohesive and immersive experience.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a slow, heavy riff that establishes a dark atmosphere, which is maintained throughout the first half.
- Each track features extended instrumental sections that build tension before transitioning into melodic passages.
- The vocals alternate between deep growls and haunting clean singing, often layered to create a rich texture.
- Several tracks incorporate orchestral elements, adding depth and enhancing the somber mood.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady pacing for deep immersion
- haunting melodies evoke profound emotions
- patient exploration of dark themes
- cathartic release through lengthy tracks
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer upbeat and fast tempos
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2012, A Map of All Our Failures is My Dying Bride's tenth studio album, marking their continued evolution within the death-doom genre. Following the critically acclaimed For Lies I Sire in 2009, this album showcases the band's ability to merge intricate compositions with dark lyrical themes while maintaining their signature sound.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Anathema· Paradise Lost· Swallow the Sun
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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A Map of All Our Failures
The narrative shifts from introspection to a broader commentary on collective human suffering, revealing layers of vulnerability as it unfolds.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Kneel Till Doomsday 7:52
- 2 The Poorest Waltz 5:08
- 3 A Tapestry Scorned 8:00
- 4 Like a Perpetual Funeral 8:32
- 5 A Map of All Our Failures 7:52
- 6 Hail Odysseus 8:54
- 7 Within the Presence of Absence 8:50
- 8 Abandoned as Christ 8:38
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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