Darkness with Tales to Tell
Manticora · 2001
67 min · 12 tracks · progressive metal
Epic melodies and intricate arrangements intertwine with dark, narrative themes, creating a cinematic experience steeped in power and progressive metal.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Chance of Dying in a Dream — This track exemplifies Manticora's signature blend of melodic hooks and progressive elements, featuring intricate guitar work and dynamic shifts that perfectly encapsulate the band's sound.
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Dragon's Mist — With its rich atmosphere and storytelling lyrics, this track immerses listeners into a fantasy realm, highlighting Manticora's lyrical prowess and musical craftsmanship.
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Shadows With Tales to Tell — As the album's title track, it encapsulates the overarching themes explored throughout the record while delivering an emotionally charged performance that resonates deeply.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases ambitious songwriting with intricate arrangements but lacks some cohesion in its pacing.
What we noticed
- The album features extended track lengths, with several songs exceeding six minutes, allowing for complex arrangements and thematic development.
- The use of dual guitar harmonies is prominent throughout, often layering melodic lines that enhance the epic feel of the music.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- 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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5/10
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.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 ...From Far Beyond 0:39
- 2 The Chance of Dying in a Dream 5:29
- 3 Dynasty of Fear 4:45
- 4 Dragon's Mist 8:57
- 5 Felice 6:37
- 6 The Nightfall War 5:28
- 7 The Puzzle 6:11
- 8 Critical Mass 5:03
- 9 Lost Souls 6:01
- 10 The Twilight Shadow 5:26
- 11 Shadows With Tales to Tell 7:03
- 12 Dead End Solution 5:52
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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