Ataraxia/Taraxis cover

Ataraxia/Taraxis

Pelican · 2012

17 min · 4 tracks · post-metal

Dense layers of atmospheric guitar intertwine with intricate rhythms, creating a sonic landscape that oscillates between serenity and chaos.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Ataraxia — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its ethereal build-up and intricate layering, inviting listeners into the expansive sound world Pelican creates.
  • →
    Parasite Colony — With its driving rhythms and haunting melodies, this track encapsulates the band's ability to blend aggression with atmospheric heaviness, exemplifying their signature sound.
  • →
    Taraxis — Closing the album, this track showcases an emotional crescendo through its expansive instrumentation, leaving listeners with a lingering sense of both resolution and contemplation.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

Instrumental
63 /100
Treeline
Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The EP showcases strong compositional depth and dynamic execution, solidifying Pelican's place in post-metal.

What we noticed

  • The first track, 'Ataraxia', builds slowly with layered guitars and ambient sounds before introducing a driving rhythm halfway through.
  • Each track features dynamic shifts in intensity, often transitioning from serene passages to chaotic climaxes within the same piece.
  • The EP concludes with 'Taraxis', which revisits themes from earlier tracks while incorporating new motifs, creating a sense of closure.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
8/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

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.

Tracklist

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

  • 1 Ataraxia 3:20
  • 2 Lathe Biosas 4:43
  • 3 Parasite Colony 4:39
  • 4 Taraxis 5:13

What to play next

Forever Becoming
Listen next

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The Wooden Box
Go back to

The Wooden Box

2010
Full Pelican discography Where to start with Pelican Artists like Pelican
post-metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata