Top tracks — play these first
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Endure — This track exemplifies Zao's signature blend of heavy riffs and melodic passages, encapsulating the struggle between despair and perseverance.
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Ps 77 — With its haunting atmosphere and introspective lyrics, this track stands out as a poignant reflection on personal hardship and faith.
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All Else Failed — The closing title track features an expansive runtime that allows for dynamic shifts in tone, making it a powerful culmination of the album's themes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases complex arrangements and thematic depth, contributing to its standing in the metalcore scene.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track that sets a fast pace, which is maintained through the first half before slowing down in the latter tracks.
- Several songs feature abrupt tempo changes, shifting from intense sections to quieter, more melodic passages.
- The lyrics often explore themes of struggle and introspection, with a focus on personal and spiritual conflict, enhancing the emotional weight of the music.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- 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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5/10
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
- raw intensity with melodic intricacy
- cathartic emotional release moments
- reflective exploration of struggle
- dynamic pacing with varied lengths
Maybe skip if you
- prefer light-hearted, upbeat music
- want uniform track lengths
Where this album fits
- Career context
- All Else Failed is Zao's fifth studio album, released in 2003 after their critically acclaimed album, The Funeral of God. At this point, the band was solidifying their reputation within the metalcore scene and exploring deeper themes tied to faith and disillusionment.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Refused· The Chariot· Converge
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Growing in Grace
A shift occurs where the narrative voice transitions from lament to a semblance of hope, marking a pivotal moment in the song.
This change in tone signifies a movement from despair towards resilience, embodying the album's overarching message of enduring through trials.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Resistance 3:01
- 2 In Loving Kindness 3:17
- 3 Endure 4:43
- 4 Growing in Grace 5:21
- 5 Foresight 3:01
- 6 Ps 77 5:28
- 7 Exchange 3:27
- 8 All Else Failed 13:34
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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