Released 10 years ago
Dark Matter
The Word Alive · 2016
46 min · 12 tracks · metalcore
A relentless fusion of melodic metalcore and introspective lyrics, exploring themes of identity and struggle.
Top tracks — play these first
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Trapped — This track showcases a powerful blend of aggressive riffs and emotive lyrics about feeling confined by personal struggles, capturing the album's core theme.
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Insane — With its high-energy instrumentation and candid examination of mental health challenges, this song stands out as an anthem for those grappling with inner turmoil.
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Dark Matter — The title track encapsulates the album's exploration of existential themes, featuring haunting melodies that complement its lyrical depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends aggressive and melodic elements effectively, showcasing strong production and thematic depth.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features aggressive guitar riffs and high-energy drumming, while the second half shifts to more melodic sections with clean vocals.
- Several tracks incorporate electronic elements, adding texture and depth to the metalcore sound.
- Lyrically, the album explores personal struggles and identity, with recurring themes that connect across multiple tracks.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
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
- relentless intensity throughout listening
- introspective themes of identity
- short bursts of cathartic energy
- engaging anthems for personal struggle
- dynamic shifts in emotional tone
Maybe skip if you
- prefer slow, soundscapes
- seek immediate melodic gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- In 2016, The Word Alive released 'Dark Matter' as their fourth studio album, honing their signature sound after the commercial success of 'Real' in 2014. This album marked a deeper exploration into personal and societal themes following lineup changes, with lead vocalist Telle Smith taking on more creative control.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Of Mice & Men· We Came as Romans· The Amity Affliction
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Face to Face
The singer confronts their insecurities directly reveals a vulnerability not often seen in metalcore lyrics.
This direct confrontation serves as a pivotal shift in the narrative, emphasizing the struggle between self-acceptance and external expectations.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Dreamer 2:53
- 2 Trapped 3:56
- 3 Face to Face 3:23
- 4 Sellout 3:34
- 5 Insane 4:20
- 6 Made This Way 4:15
- 7 Suffocating 3:35
- 8 Piece of Me 4:08
- 9 Branded 3:57
- 10 Grunge 4:00
- 11 Dark Matter 4:07
- 12 Oxy 4:00
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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