Existentia cover

Existentia

Trail of Tears · 2007

45 min · 10 tracks · gothic metal

Dark, orchestral soundscapes intertwine with haunting vocals, creating an immersive experience that embodies the essence of gothic metal.

Top tracks — play these first

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    Venom Inside My Veins — This track exemplifies the album's dark lyrical themes and features an intricate interplay between male and female vocals that heightens its emotional intensity.
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    Decadence Becomes Me — With its powerful chorus and atmospheric instrumentation, this song captures the essence of the band's signature style while showcasing their growth as musicians.
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    Empty Room — This track stands out due to its haunting melody and poignant lyrics, offering a reflective moment that resonates deeply with the overall narrative of the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

60 /100
Treeline
Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

The album showcases intricate arrangements and a blend of vocal styles, marking a solid entry in gothic metal.

What we noticed

  • The album features orchestral arrangements that complement the heavy guitar riffs, creating a layered soundscape.
  • Vocal duties alternate between male growls and female clean vocals, enhancing the dynamic range of each track.
  • Several tracks incorporate symphonic elements, such as strings and choirs, which are prominent in the choruses.
  • The pacing varies significantly; some tracks build tension gradually while others shift abruptly from soft to intense passages.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

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 Deceptive Mirrors 4:28
  • 2 My Comfort 4:37
  • 3 Venom Inside My Veins 4:42
  • 4 Decadence Becomes Me 4:20
  • 5 She Weaves Shadows 4:47
  • 6 The Closing Walls 4:50
  • 7 Empty Room 4:35
  • 8 Poisonous Tongues 4:18
  • 9 As It Penetrates 4:12
  • 10 Shades of Yesterday 4:15

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata