Impermanent Resonance
James LaBrie · 2013
49 min · 12 tracks · progressive metal
Melodic progressive metal intertwines soaring vocals with intricate instrumentation, exploring themes of struggle and resilience.
Top tracks — play these first
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Agony — The album opener sets a powerful tone with its heavy riffs and emotional lyrics, encapsulating the struggles that permeate the record.
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Holding On — This track highlights LaBrie's soaring vocal range and features dynamic shifts in tempo, reflecting both vulnerability and strength.
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I Will Not Break — This closing track serves as an anthem of resilience, merging melodic hooks with intense instrumentation, leaving listeners with a sense of empowerment.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features strong melodies and intricate arrangements but lacks a cohesive flow across its length.
What we noticed
- LaBrie's vocal lines often soar above intricate guitar riffs, with harmonies layered in the choruses that create a rich sound.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- 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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5/10
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
- steady mid-tempo emotional flow
- introspective reflections on relationships
- powerful vocals for deep connection
- thoughtful melodies for focused listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced instant gratification
- seek standalone hit singles
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2013, Impermanent Resonance is James LaBrie's second solo album, following his debut, Elements of Persuasion, from 2005. At this point in his career, LaBrie had established himself as a leading figure in progressive metal through his work with Dream Theater, and this album further showcased his vocal prowess and personal songwriting.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Dream Theater· Symphony X· Fates Warning
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Agony 4:21
- 2 Undertow 4:02
- 3 Slight of Hand 5:21
- 4 Back on the Ground 4:05
- 5 I Got You 3:46
- 6 Holding On 4:53
- 7 Lost in the Fire 3:52
- 8 Letting Go 4:17
- 9 Destined to Burn 4:00
- 10 Say You're Still Mine 3:32
- 11 Amnesia 3:43
- 12 I Will Not Break 3:52
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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