What makes Animals as Leaders by Animals as Leaders notable?

The album was pivotal in defining the djent subgenre within progressive metal, influencing countless musicians with its technical prowess and innovative arrangements. It received widespread critical acclaim, particularly from niche metal publications, and helped elevate the instrumental rock genre's profile in the music industry. Released in 2009, this self-titled album marked Animals as Leaders' debut, introducing the world to their unique blend of progressive metal and jazz influences. Guitarist Tosin Abasi, already recognized for his virtuosic playing, transitioned from his previous band, Reflux, to establish a new identity with this project.

Who is Animals as Leaders for?

Animals as Leaders works well if you're into intricate, complex sonic landscapes, long, immersive listening sessions and dynamic emotional journeys.

How many songs are on Animals as Leaders?

Animals as Leaders has 12 tracks, running approximately 52 minutes.

Animals as Leaders

Animals as Leaders · 2009

52 min · 12 tracks · progressive metal

Intricate guitar work and polyrhythmic patterns create a cerebral landscape that challenges traditional metal conventions.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Tempting Time — Opening with complex time signatures and intricate melodies, this track sets the tone for the entire album while showcasing Abasi's guitar mastery.
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CAFO — This standout track combines aggressive riffs with melodic interludes, illustrating the band's ability to balance heaviness with musicality, making it a fan favorite.
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The Price of Everything and the Value of Nothing — With its dynamic shifts and expansive soundscape, this track encapsulates the band's experimental spirit and willingness to push boundaries.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

73 /100

Alpine

Higher than 96% of albums we've rated

The album's intricate compositions and technical execution set it apart in the progressive metal genre.

What we noticed

Each track typically shifts between multiple motifs, often within the same section, creating a dynamic and unpredictable flow.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 9/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

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

intricate, complex sonic landscapes
long, immersive listening sessions
dynamic emotional journeys
gradual builds and payoffs

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 2009, this self-titled album marked Animals as Leaders' debut, introducing the world to their unique blend of progressive metal and jazz influences. Guitarist Tosin Abasi, already recognized for his virtuosic playing, transitioned from his previous band, Reflux, to establish a new identity with this project.
Stylistic neighbors: Periphery· Tesseract· Polyphia

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Tempting Time 5:23
2 Soraya 4:27
3 Thoroughly at Home 4:02
4 On Impulse 6:09
5 Tessitura 1:06
6 Behaving Badly 4:26
7 The Price of Everything and the Value of Nothing 5:32
8 CAFO 6:41
9 Inamorata 6:08
10 Point to Point 1:44
11 Modern Meat 2:06
12 Song of Solomon 4:16

What to play next

Listen next

Weightless

2011

Full Animals as Leaders discography Artists like Animals as Leaders

progressive metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata