What makes All Reflections Drained by Xasthur notable?

This album solidified Xasthur's reputation within the black metal community, garnering critical acclaim for its immersive sound and emotional depth. It has been influential for many artists in the atmospheric black metal subgenre, often cited as a reference point for those exploring themes of isolation and despair in their music. Released on January 1, 2009, 'All Reflections Drained' is Xasthur's sixth studio album, coming during a prolific phase for the project. At this time, the solo endeavor of Scott Conner was experimenting with longer compositions and deeper introspection following previous albums like 'Defective Epitaph' (2008). Conner’s work continued to shape the underground black metal scene, drawing attention for its unique blend of ambient elements and raw emotion.

Who is All Reflections Drained for?

All Reflections Drained works well if you're into long atmospheric explorations of despair, haunting melodies for solitude and introspective reflections on suffering.

How many songs are on All Reflections Drained?

All Reflections Drained has 18 tracks, running approximately 108 minutes.

All Reflections Drained

Xasthur · 2009

108 min · 18 tracks · heavy metal

A bleak soundscape of atmospheric black metal drenched in despair and haunting melodies.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Masquerade of Incisions — Clocking in at over fifteen minutes, this track epitomizes Xasthur's ability to weave complex atmospheres with a gradual build-up that immerses listeners in a profound sense of desolation.
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Achieve Emptiness, Part II — This piece captures the essence of emotional void that permeates the album, showcasing haunting melodies that reflect an internal struggle against despair.
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Inner Sanctum Surveillance — The track's layered instrumentation creates a suffocating atmosphere, effectively mirroring themes of paranoia and introspection prevalent throughout the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

Xasthur's immersive sound and extended compositions create a distinct atmosphere in black metal.

What we noticed

The album features extended tracks, with several pieces exceeding eight minutes, allowing for gradual development of themes.
Many tracks utilize layered guitar textures that create a dense atmosphere, often accompanied by distant, echoing vocals.
The pacing is consistently slow to mid-tempo, contributing to an overall feeling of heaviness and despair throughout the record.
Several tracks end with fading echoes or unresolved chords, enhancing the sense of bleakness and leaving a lingering emotional impact.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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

long atmospheric explorations of despair
haunting melodies for solitude
introspective reflections on suffering
patient unfolding of bleak soundscapes

Maybe skip if you

seek uplifting or bright music
want quick, energetic tracks

Where this album fits

Career context: Released on January 1, 2009, 'All Reflections Drained' is Xasthur's sixth studio album, coming during a prolific phase for the project. At this time, the solo endeavor of Scott Conner was experimenting with longer compositions and deeper introspection following previous albums like 'Defective Epitaph' (2008). Conner’s work continued to shape the underground black metal scene, drawing attention for its unique blend of ambient elements and raw emotion.
Stylistic neighbors: Leviathan· Nortt· Burzum