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Released 20 years ago

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Comets on Fire · 2006

45 min · 7 tracks · experimental rock

A sprawling, psychedelic odyssey blending heavy riffs with experimental textures and haunting melodies that defy conventional rock structures.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Dogwood Rust — The opening track sets a mesmerizing tone with its intricate guitar work and atmospheric build-up, establishing the album's immersive quality right from the start.
  • →
    Lucifer's Memory — This track showcases the band's ability to weave dark, brooding themes with expansive instrumental passages, exemplifying their fusion of heaviness and ethereal elements.
  • →
    Sour Smoke — 'Sour Smoke' stands out for its hypnotic rhythm and layered vocal harmonies, creating an otherworldly experience that encapsulates the essence of the album's exploratory nature.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

66 /100
Alpine
Higher than 89% of albums we've rated

The album blends heavy and ambient elements, creating a unique sound that rewards repeated listens.

What we noticed

  • The first track features a slow build with layered guitars that gradually intensify, setting a tone of tension.
  • Several tracks incorporate extended instrumental sections that shift in dynamics, often moving from heavy riffs to quieter, more ambient passages.
  • The album's final track is notably longer than the others, allowing for an expansive exploration of sound that contrasts with the more concise earlier pieces.
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
7/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

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.

Tracklist

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

  • 1 Dogwood Rust 7:48
  • 2 Jaybird 6:08
  • 3 Lucifer's Memory 7:03
  • 4 The Swallow's Eye 6:53
  • 5 Holy Teeth 2:59
  • 6 Sour Smoke 8:47
  • 7 Hatched Upon the Age 6:08

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata