Exercises in Futility
Mgła · 2015
42 min · 6 tracks · black metal
A relentless exploration of existential dread wrapped in intricate melodies and fierce, atmospheric black metal intensity.
Top tracks — play these first
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Exercises in Futility I — This opening track sets the tone for the entire album, combining haunting melodies with aggressive instrumentation that captures the essence of nihilistic themes.
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Exercises in Futility III — With its concise length, this track encapsulates the album's core ideas through powerful riffs and a palpable sense of urgency that resonates throughout.
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Exercises in Futility V — This track showcases complex song structures and a dynamic range, demonstrating Mgła's ability to weave melodic beauty into an oppressive atmosphere.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's intricate structure and thematic depth contribute to its strong cohesion and durability.
What we noticed
- The album employs a consistent use of tremolo-picked guitar melodies layered over blast beat drumming, establishing a relentless intensity.
- Vocal delivery alternates between harsh screams and deeper growls, enhancing the emotional weight of the existential themes explored in the lyrics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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8/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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9/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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.
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Exercises in Futility IV
The section shifts from introspective musings to a more confrontational tone as it questions the meaninglessness of existence.
This transition adds depth to the narrative, contrasting despair with defiance, which enhances the overall emotional impact of the track.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Exercises in Futility I 7:58
- 2 Exercises in Futility II 7:48
- 3 Exercises in Futility III 4:37
- 4 Exercises in Futility IV 4:45
- 5 Exercises in Futility V 8:15
- 6 Exercises in Futility VI 8:49
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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