A Valediction
Obscura · 2021
51 min · 11 tracks · progressive metal
A cosmic journey through intricate guitar work and soaring melodies, blending progressive metal with philosophical themes.
Top tracks — play these first
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Forsaken — The opening track sets an ambitious tone with its complex arrangements and dynamic shifts, encapsulating the album's overarching themes of loss and resilience.
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A Valediction — This title track features a compelling juxtaposition of melodic lines and aggressive instrumentation, embodying the band's signature style while exploring poignant lyrical themes.
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When Stars Collide — With its infectious riffs and soaring choruses, this track balances heaviness with accessibility, making it a standout moment that showcases the band's versatility.
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The Neuromancer — Integrating sci-fi elements into its lyrics, this song combines technical prowess with narrative depth, reflecting contemporary concerns about technology and humanity.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate compositions and technical proficiency, though it remains within established progressive metal norms.
What we noticed
- The final track is notably longer than the others, allowing for an expansive conclusion that revisits motifs from earlier in the album.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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.
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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A Valediction
A pivotal shift in perspective occurs when the lyrics address mortality directly, contrasting grief with hope.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Forsaken 7:16
- 2 Solaris 3:41
- 3 A Valediction 3:27
- 4 When Stars Collide 5:08
- 5 In Unity 4:48
- 6 Devoured Usurper 5:30
- 7 The Beyond 3:49
- 8 Orbital Elements II 4:01
- 9 The Neuromancer 4:41
- 10 In Adversity 4:09
- 11 Heritage 5:01
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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