What makes Control and Resistance by Watchtower notable?

This album is notable for its influence on the progressive metal genre, showcasing a blend of intricate musicianship and socially conscious lyrics. It received critical acclaim from publications like Metal Forces and is often cited as a key release that paved the way for future progressive metal bands. Control and Resistance is Watchtower's second studio album, following their 1985 debut, Energetic Disassembly. At this point, the band was establishing themselves as pioneers in the progressive metal scene, merging thrash elements with sophisticated compositions. This album represented a significant evolution in their sound and ambition, showcasing their technical prowess and lyrical depth.

How many songs are on Control and Resistance?

Control and Resistance has 8 tracks, running approximately 43 minutes.

Control and Resistance

Watchtower · 1989

43 min · 8 tracks · progressive metal

A relentless fusion of intricate guitar work and complex rhythms that defies genre boundaries while exploring dark, thought-provoking themes.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Instruments of Random Murder — Opening with aggressive riffs and rapid tempo shifts, this track sets the tone for the album's exploration of chaos and violence in society.
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Mayday in Kiev — This track features complex time signatures and a narrative that reflects political tension, making it a standout example of the band's lyrical ambition.
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Control and Resistance — The title track encapsulates the album's themes, blending intricate musical passages with profound commentary on societal control mechanisms.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

65 /100

Treeline

Higher than 88% of albums we've rated

The album's intricate musicianship and thematic depth mark it as a significant entry in progressive metal.

What we noticed

The album features rapid tempo changes, often shifting between aggressive thrash sections and intricate progressive passages within the same track.
The lyrics tackle dark themes with a focus on social commentary, which is reflected in the intensity of the vocal delivery.

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

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 Instruments of Random Murder 4:06
2 The Eldritch 3:16
3 Mayday in Kiev 5:47
4 The Fall of Reason 8:01
5 Control and Resistance 6:58
6 Hidden Instincts 3:51
7 Life Cycles 6:47
8 Dangerous Toy 4:19

What to play next

Listen next

Demonstrations in Chaos

2002

Go back to

Energetic Disassembly

1985

Full Watchtower discography Artists like Watchtower

progressive metal thrash metal

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