Released 5 years ago this October
Colors II
Between the Buried and Me · 2021
78 min · 12 tracks · progressive metal
Complex arrangements blend intricate melodies with aggressive riffs and dynamic shifts, encapsulating the band's signature progressive metal sound.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Double Helix of Extinction — This track stands out for its exploration of humanity's impact on the environment, featuring a blend of melodic elements and aggressive sections that showcase the band's technical prowess.
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Never Seen / Future Shock — The juxtaposition within this track between serene melodies and intense breakdowns exemplifies the band's ability to navigate complex emotional landscapes while maintaining musical cohesion.
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Human Is Hell (Another One With Love) — As the longest track on the album, it encapsulates the overarching themes of existential reflection and personal struggle, culminating in a powerful emotional climax that leaves a lasting impression.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases complex arrangements and dynamic shifts, maintaining a strong progressive metal identity.
What we noticed
- The album features several tracks that exceed the seven-minute mark, allowing for extended musical exploration and thematic development.
- Dynamic shifts between aggressive riffs and melodic passages occur frequently, creating a sense of tension and release throughout the tracks.
- The closing track incorporates a gradual build-up of layers, culminating in a complex arrangement that reflects the album's overarching themes.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- 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
- wave-like pacing with intensity shifts
- immersive headphone detail exploration
- cathartic release through complexity
- thought-provoking themes throughout
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward song structures
- seek instant gratification in music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on October 8, 2021, Colors II marks Between the Buried and Me's follow-up to their critically acclaimed album Coma Ecliptic. This album arrives after a period of experimentation with their sound and showcases the band's continued evolution in the progressive metal landscape while reaffirming their roots in metalcore.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Contortionist· Animals as Leaders· Periphery
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Monochrome 3:14
- 2 The Double Helix of Extinction 6:16
- 3 Revolution in Limbo 9:12
- 4 Fix the Error 5:00
- 5 Never Seen / Future Shock 11:41
- 6 Stare Into the Abyss 3:53
- 7 Prehistory 3:07
- 8 Bad Habits 8:43
- 9 The Future Is Behind Us 5:22
- 10 Turbulent 5:56
- 11 Sfumato 1:09
- 12 Human Is Hell (Another One With Love) 15:07
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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