Released 13 years ago this October
Forever Becoming
Pelican · 2013
50 min · 8 tracks · post-metal
Ethereal soundscapes intertwine with crushing riffs, creating a vast sonic landscape that balances heaviness and introspection.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Deny the Absolute — This track exemplifies Pelican's blend of intricate melodies and powerful dynamics, showcasing their signature slow build-up and cathartic release.
-
→
Threnody — Threnody stands out for its haunting atmosphere and emotional depth, reflecting the band's ability to convey complex feelings without lyrics.
-
→
Perpetual Dawn — With its expansive length and gradual evolution, Perpetual Dawn encapsulates the album's thematic essence of transformation and continuity.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album effectively balances heaviness and introspection through dynamic shifts and layered compositions.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a lengthy instrumental track that gradually builds intensity, setting a tone of expansive soundscapes.
- Several tracks incorporate layered guitar harmonies that evolve over time, often leading to climactic moments before receding into quieter sections.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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
- wave-like pacing with dynamic peaks
- sonic exploration of vastness
- introspective late-night immersion
- cathartic moments of reflection
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek upbeat danceable energy
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Forever Becoming is Pelican's fourth studio album, following their 2009 release, What We All Come to Need. At this point in their career, the band had solidified their signature post-metal sound while exploring new musical territories, infusing more melody and atmosphere into their compositions.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Russian Circles· Isis· Cult of Luna
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Terminal 3:27
- 2 Deny the Absolute 5:35
- 3 The Tundra 5:13
- 4 Immutable Dusk 7:01
- 5 Threnody 8:07
- 6 The Cliff 4:06
- 7 Vestiges 7:15
- 8 Perpetual Dawn 9:28
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.