Automata I
Between the Buried and Me · 2018
35 min · 6 tracks · progressive metal
A seamless blend of progressive metal intricacies and metalcore intensity, exploring themes of dystopia and existential dread.
Top tracks — play these first
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Condemned to the Gallows — Opening with an intense soundscape, this track sets a tone of urgency that encapsulates the album's overarching themes of despair and reckoning.
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Yellow Eyes — This track features intricate rhythms and dynamic shifts, showcasing the band's technical prowess while delving into personal and philosophical themes.
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Blot — As the longest track on the album, it epitomizes the progressive metal style with complex arrangements that evolve throughout its duration, reflecting on deeper emotional struggles.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases ambitious compositions and strong thematic elements, though it remains within the established genre framework.
What we noticed
- Vocals alternate between clean singing and harsh screams, often layered with harmonies that enhance the emotional weight of the lyrics.
- The final track ends abruptly, leaving a lingering sense of unresolved tension that reflects the album's themes of existential dread.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- 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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8/10
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
- dynamic progression with peaks
- labyrinthine auditory experience
- wave-like pacing that unfolds
- heavy emotional themes throughout
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward song structures
- seek instant gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Automata I marks Between the Buried and Me's first album since their 2016 release, Coma Ecliptic. This record continues their evolution into more abstract and conceptual territory, showcasing their trademark blend of technicality and lyrical depth while also setting the stage for the follow-up album, Automata II, released later in the same year.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Contortionist· Animals as Leaders· Periphery
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Yellow Eyes
The verse utilizes shifting perspectives that transition from introspection to a broader societal critique as it unfolds.
This change in perspective deepens the narrative complexity, allowing listeners to engage with both personal and collective themes.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Condemned to the Gallows 6:34
- 2 House Organ 3:41
- 3 Yellow Eyes 8:44
- 4 Millions 4:43
- 5 Gold Distance 1:01
- 6 Blot 10:31
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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