Released 10 years ago
Cognitive Emancipation
Behold... The Arctopus · 2016
19 min · 4 tracks · progressive metal
Complex time signatures and intricate guitar work collide with abstract thematic explorations in this progressive metal odyssey.
Top tracks — play these first
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Cognitive Emancipation — This title track encapsulates the album's core themes of intellectual liberation, featuring dynamic shifts in rhythm and an expansive instrumental narrative.
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Resummon the Unreaching — A centerpiece of the album, it showcases intricate melodies and complex time signatures that exemplify the band's technical mastery and thematic depth.
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Obnoxiousing in Irritation — This opening track establishes the album's chaotic energy with aggressive instrumentation and rapid tempo changes, setting the tone for the listening experience.
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 complex arrangements, pushing the boundaries of progressive metal.
What we noticed
- Guitar work is intricate, often employing rapid arpeggios and dissonant chords that create a dense sonic landscape.
- The album's thematic explorations are abstract, with titles suggesting philosophical or existential concepts rather than straightforward narratives.
- 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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8/10
- 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
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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.
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Cognitive Emancipation
The climax features a shift where the narrative voice contemplates freedom from mental constraints, transitioning from confusion to clarity.
This moment serves as both a thematic resolution and a structural pivot, emphasizing the journey from chaos to enlightenment integral to the album's concept.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Obnoxiousing in Irritation 2:21
- 2 Exasperating the Idiotic 3:06
- 3 Resummon the Unreaching 6:43
- 4 Cognitive Emancipation 7:07
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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