Coal
Leprous · 2013
60 min · 9 tracks · progressive metal
A haunting blend of progressive metal and orchestral elements, with dynamic shifts and emotionally charged vocals weaving through complex arrangements.
Top tracks — play these first
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Foe — The opening track sets the album's tone with its aggressive instrumentation and introspective lyrics, showcasing the band's ability to blend heaviness with emotional depth.
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Coal — The title track encapsulates the album's exploration of darker themes through its haunting melodies and powerful vocal delivery, serving as a centerpiece for the record.
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The Valley — This track exemplifies Leprous's signature sound with its sprawling arrangement and emotional crescendos, illustrating their knack for blending progressive structures with lyrical vulnerability.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Coal showcases complex arrangements and dynamic shifts that reward attentive listening, solidifying Leprous's unique sound in progressive metal.
What we noticed
- The album features frequent tempo changes, with tracks alternating between aggressive passages and softer, more melodic sections.
- Vocals often overlap with intricate instrumental arrangements, creating a dense soundscape that requires focused listening.
- Several tracks incorporate orchestral elements, such as strings and choirs, which enhance the emotional weight of the music.
- 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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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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 journey with emotional peaks
- haunting atmospheres for introspection
- patient waves of sound exploration
- immersive listening for deep focus
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer upbeat, energetic tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2013, Coal is Leprous' fourth studio album, following their critically acclaimed release, Bilateral. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their identity within the progressive metal scene, gaining recognition for their innovative sound and intricate compositions.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Between the Buried and Me· Haken· Tesseract
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Chronic
The narrative voice shifts from introspection to a direct confrontation of despair creates an intense emotional climax.
This structural shift not only amplifies the urgency of the lyrics but also reflects the inner turmoil that defines much of the album's thematic landscape.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Foe 5:15
- 2 Chronic 7:20
- 3 Coal 6:50
- 4 The Cloak 4:09
- 5 The Valley 9:00
- 6 Salt 4:30
- 7 Echo 9:42
- 8 Contaminate Me 9:04
- 9 Bury 4:46
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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