What makes I Begin by God Seed notable?

I Begin received notable attention for its distinct sound and lyrical depth, setting a new benchmark for black metal in the early 2010s. The album was praised by critics for its innovative approach and charted in several countries, contributing to God Seed's reputation within the genre. Released on January 1, 2012, I Begin marked God Seed's debut album following the dissolution of their previous band, Gorgoroth. The album represented a significant artistic shift as it showcased the duo's exploration of personal themes and musical experimentation in a post-Gorgoroth context.

How many songs are on I Begin?

I Begin has 9 tracks, running approximately 41 minutes.

I Begin

God Seed · 2012

41 min · 9 tracks · black metal

A haunting blend of atmospheric black metal and progressive structures, weaving darkness with melodic undertones.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Awake — The opening track sets an immersive tone, blending atmospheric elements with intense instrumentation that encapsulates the album's duality of light and dark.
→
This From the Past — This track showcases intricate guitar work and dynamic shifts, illustrating themes of nostalgia and reflection that resonate throughout the album.
→
Bloodline — Concluding the album, this track delivers an emotional weight through its haunting melodies and poignant lyrics, embodying the overarching journey presented in I Begin.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 80% of albums we've rated

The album blends atmospheric elements with progressive structures, showcasing strong craftsmanship and distinctiveness within its genre.

What we noticed

The album opens with a slow, atmospheric build in 'Awake' that transitions into faster tempos in subsequent tracks.
Several tracks feature extended instrumental sections that emphasize melodic guitar lines intertwined with harsh vocals.
The final track, 'Bloodline', concludes with a gradual fade-out, leaving a lingering sense of unease.

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: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

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 Awake 4:43
2 This From the Past 5:18
3 Alt liv 4:08
4 From the Running of Blood 4:19
5 Hinstu dagar 4:55
6 Aldrande tre 4:45
7 Lit 5:17
8 The Wound 4:44
9 Bloodline 3:43

What to play next

Full God Seed discography Artists like God Seed

black metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata