Exoplanet
The Contortionist · 2010
48 min · 11 tracks · progressive metal
A cosmic journey through progressive metal, blending intricate instrumentation with ethereal soundscapes and thought-provoking themes.
Top tracks — play these first
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Primal Directive — The opening track sets a tone of urgency and complexity with its dynamic shifts, establishing the band's signature sound while introducing key thematic elements.
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Flourish — This track exemplifies the band's ability to weave intricate melodies with heavy riffs, creating an immersive listening experience that defines the album's essence.
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Exoplanet I: Egress — As part of a conceptual trilogy, this track encapsulates the album's overarching narrative and showcases the band's creativity in structuring longer compositions.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's intricate compositions and seamless transitions create a strong sense of cohesion and distinctiveness within progressive metal.
What we noticed
- The last three tracks form a cohesive suite that explores thematic and musical motifs introduced earlier in the album.
- 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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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
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
- intricate instrumentation with depth
- cosmic soundscapes for exploration
- thought-provoking themes for reflection
- dynamic shifts in pacing
- immersive experience of journey
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward song structures
- want instant gratification from music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released as The Contortionist's debut studio album, Exoplanet marked the band's entry into the progressive metal scene after their earlier EP. This album showcased their ambition to merge technical musicianship with atmospheric elements, helping them gain recognition and setting the stage for their evolving sound in subsequent releases.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Primal Directive 4:01
- 2 Flourish 6:22
- 3 Expire 3:45
- 4 Contact 4:59
- 5 Advent 3:17
- 6 Vessel 4:57
- 7 Oscillator 5:00
- 8 Axiom 2:24
- 9 Exoplanet I: Egress 4:11
- 10 Exoplanet II: Void 3:32
- 11 Exoplanet III: Light 5:46
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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