What makes Epitaph by Necrophagist notable?

Epitaph received critical acclaim for its intricate compositions and technical prowess, helping to elevate Necrophagist to a prominent position in the death metal hierarchy. The album's influence can be seen in the rise of technical death metal as a distinct subgenre, inspiring countless musicians and bands who followed. Released in 2003, Epitaph is Necrophagist's second studio album, following their debut Onset of Putrefaction from 1999. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their reputation within the technical death metal scene, showcasing increased musical complexity and virtuosity that would influence many subsequent acts.

How many songs are on Epitaph?

Epitaph has 8 tracks, running approximately 32 minutes.

Epitaph

Necrophagist · 2003

32 min · 8 tracks · technical death metal

Technical death metal intricacies collide with brutal rhythms and dark, evocative themes throughout this intense album.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Stabwound — The opening track sets an aggressive tone with its rapid-fire riffs and complex time signatures, emblematic of the band's technical approach.
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Epitaph — This title track showcases both melodic elements and brutal aggression, encapsulating the album's thematic depth and musical proficiency.
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Symbiotic in Theory — With its intricate solos and shifting rhythms, this track exemplifies Necrophagist's technical excellence while exploring philosophical themes.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

67 /100

Alpine

Higher than 91% of albums we've rated

Epitaph showcases intricate compositions and technical prowess, solidifying Necrophagist's place in technical death metal.

What we noticed

Guitar solos are frequent and often incorporate intricate melodic lines that showcase technical proficiency, especially in 'Epitaph' and 'Only Ash Remains'.

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

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 Stabwound 2:48
2 The Stillborn One 4:24
3 Ignominious & Pale 4:01
4 Diminished to B 4:59
5 Epitaph 4:15
6 Only Ash Remains 4:11
7 Seven 3:41
8 Symbiotic in Theory 4:35

What to play next

Go back to

Onset of Putrefaction

1999

Full Necrophagist discography Artists like Necrophagist

deathcore technical death metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata