Flawed Design cover

Flawed Design

Saint Asonia · 2019

43 min · 11 tracks · alternative metal

A powerful blend of alternative metal and post-grunge, melding heavy riffs with introspective lyrics and soaring vocals.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Blind — The opening track immediately establishes the album's tone with its brooding atmosphere and compelling chorus, setting a high bar for the rest of the record.
  • →
    Ghost — This track showcases an intriguing balance between heavy instrumentation and poignant lyricism, reflecting the band's ability to convey vulnerability amid aggression.
  • →
    Flawed Design — The title track encapsulates the album's themes of struggle and acceptance, featuring a memorable melody that lingers long after listening.
  • →
    Another Fight — With its driving rhythm and dynamic shifts, this track exemplifies Saint Asonia's knack for marrying intensity with accessible songwriting.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

46 /100
Foothills
Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The album combines energetic riffs with introspective lyrics but lacks standout moments that elevate it significantly.

What we noticed

  • The first half of the album features high-energy tracks with heavy guitar riffs, while the second half shifts to more introspective themes and slower tempos.
  • Several tracks utilize a call-and-response vocal technique, enhancing the emotional impact of the lyrics.
  • The album closes with a track that gradually fades out, leaving a lingering sense of reflection.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
5/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. 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

  • cathartic release through intensity
  • reflective moments amidst heaviness
  • energizing tracks for motivation
  • melodic hooks for group sing-alongs
  • pacing that encourages engagement

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer light and airy sounds
  • seek instant gratification tracks

Where this album fits

Career context
Upon the release of Flawed Design in 2019, Saint Asonia was solidifying their identity as a significant player in the post-grunge scene, following their self-titled debut in 2015. Fronted by former Three Days Grace vocalist Adam Gontier, the band aimed to expand their sound while navigating the challenges of the music industry.
Stylistic neighbors
Three Days Grace· Breaking Benjamin· Seether

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Blind 4:09
  • 2 Sirens 3:50
  • 3 This August Day 4:01
  • 4 The Hunted 3:44
  • 5 Ghost 4:32
  • 6 Beast 3:27
  • 7 The Fallen 4:00
  • 8 Another Fight 3:47
  • 9 Flawed Design 3:47
  • 10 Justify 4:08
  • 11 Martyrs 4:12

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata