What makes Citadel by Ne Obliviscaris notable?

This album received critical acclaim, particularly for its complex arrangements and musicianship, leading it to chart in the Australian Albums Chart at number 25. Citadel solidified Ne Obliviscaris as a significant force in modern progressive metal, influencing numerous bands within the genre and beyond. Citadel is Ne Obliviscaris' second full-length album, released following their debut, Portal of I, which had garnered them significant attention in the progressive metal scene. By 2014, the band was establishing a reputation for their ambitious compositions and eclectic sound, setting the stage for their artistic evolution.

How many songs are on Citadel?

Citadel has 6 tracks, running approximately 48 minutes.

Citadel

Ne Obliviscaris · 2014

48 min · 6 tracks · progressive metal

A sweeping blend of progressive metal and classical influences, weaving intricate melodies with intense, dynamic shifts in sound.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Painters of the Tempest, Part II: Triptych Lux — This track epitomizes the band's signature sound with its expansive structure that combines soaring melodies and heavy riffs, showcasing their technical prowess.
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Devour Me, Colossus, Part I: Blackholes — The song features a hauntingly beautiful introduction that builds into ferocious instrumentation, demonstrating the band's ability to meld contrasting dynamics seamlessly.
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Pyrrhic — With its intricate time signatures and emotive guitar work, this track highlights the band's lyrical depth alongside their musical complexity.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

70 /100

Alpine

Higher than 94% of albums we've rated

Complex arrangements and a unique blend of styles make this album stand out in the progressive metal genre.

What we noticed

The album consists of two multi-part tracks that each span over ten minutes, allowing for extensive thematic development and dynamic shifts.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

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 Painters of the Tempest, Part I: Wyrmholes 3:08
2 Painters of the Tempest, Part II: Triptych Lux 16:35
3 Painters of the Tempest, Part III: Reveries From the Stained Glass Womb 3:34
4 Pyrrhic 9:50
5 Devour Me, Colossus, Part I: Blackholes 12:37
6 Devour Me, Colossus, Part II: Contortions 2:27

What to play next

Listen next

Urn

2017

Go back to

Portal of I

2012

Full Ne Obliviscaris discography Artists like Ne Obliviscaris

progressive metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata