What makes Ausserwelt by Year of No Light notable?

'Ausserwelt' received critical acclaim for its ambitious structure and sonic depth, helping to further elevate Year of No Light within the post-metal genre. The album's unique approach to blending heavy metal with atmospheric soundscapes influenced numerous artists in the underground metal scene and garnered attention from notable publications. In 2010, Year of No Light was solidifying their presence in the post-metal scene with 'Ausserwelt', their third studio album following 'Vampyr' in 2006. This release marked a deeper exploration into atmospheric elements and expanded songwriting, showcasing their evolution as artists who blend heaviness with intricate textures.

How many songs are on Ausserwelt?

Ausserwelt has 4 tracks, running approximately 48 minutes.

Ausserwelt

Year of No Light · 2010

48 min · 4 tracks · post-metal

A sprawling journey through soundscapes, where heavy riffs intertwine with atmospheric layers and haunting melodies.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Perséphone (Enna) — This opening track sets the tone for the entire album with its slow-building intensity and ethereal beauty, encapsulating the band's signature blend of heaviness and atmosphere.
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Hiérophante — With its profound dynamics and intricate layering, this track showcases the band's ability to create an immersive listening experience that balances aggression with serene passages.
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Perséphone (Coré) — This counterpart to 'Enna' deepens the narrative established in the opener, featuring a more pronounced rhythmic drive that highlights the band’s evolving complexity.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

67 /100

Alpine

Higher than 91% of albums we've rated

The album's ambitious structure and atmospheric depth create a compelling post-metal experience.

What we noticed

The album consists of four tracks, each exceeding eight minutes, allowing for extended development of themes and motifs.
Heavy guitar riffs are layered with ambient textures, creating a contrast between aggression and ethereal soundscapes.

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

Influence 3/10

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 Perséphone (Enna) 11:56
2 Perséphone (Coré) 9:37
3 Hiérophante 13:16
4 Abbesse 13:11

What to play next

Listen next

Year of No Light / thisquietarmy

2012

Go back to

Live at Roadburn 2008

2009

Full Year of No Light discography Artists like Year of No Light

post-metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata