Back to Times of Splendor cover

Back to Times of Splendor

Disillusion · 2004

56 min · 6 tracks · progressive metal

Progressive metal landscapes intertwine with haunting melodies, creating an immersive experience that captures both grandeur and introspection.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    And the Mirror Cracked — This track introduces the album's thematic depth with its complex structure and emotive lyrics, setting the stage for the journey that follows.
  • →
    Back to Times of Splendor — The title track encapsulates the album's essence with its epic length and sweeping dynamics, blending heavy riffs with serene interludes.
  • →
    The Sleep of Restless Hours — As the longest track on the album, it showcases the band's ability to weave intricate musical narratives while exploring themes of existentialism.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

68 /100
Alpine
Higher than 93% of albums we've rated

The album's ambitious compositions and dynamic contrasts create an immersive listening experience.

What we noticed

  • The album features lengthy tracks, with the shortest being over six minutes, allowing for extended musical exploration.
  • Each track incorporates dynamic shifts between heavy riffs and melodic passages, creating a contrast that enhances emotional impact.
Composition 25% of the score
8/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
8/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

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 And the Mirror Cracked 8:27
  • 2 Fall 4:53
  • 3 Alone I Stand in Fires 6:53
  • 4 Back to Times of Splendor 14:39
  • 5 A Day by the Lake 4:53
  • 6 The Sleep of Restless Hours 17:02

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata