What makes In a Flesh Aquarium by Unexpect notable?

The album received critical acclaim and helped to define the avant-garde metal genre, landing on various year-end lists and earning praise for its ambitious arrangements. It showcased Unexpect's innovative approach to music, influencing a wave of progressive metal bands that followed, and demonstrated their ability to fuse diverse genres seamlessly. In a Flesh Aquarium is Unexpect's second studio album, released in 2006 following their debut album, _Utopia_, which established their unique sound. This release marked a pivotal moment as the band began to gain international recognition for their eclectic style and complex compositions, solidifying their place within the progressive metal scene.

How many songs are on In a Flesh Aquarium?

In a Flesh Aquarium has 10 tracks, running approximately 60 minutes.

Released 20 years ago

In a Flesh Aquarium

Unexpect · 2006

60 min · 10 tracks · progressive metal

A chaotic blend of progressive metal, jazz, and operatic elements creates an intricate sonic tapestry full of unexpected twists.

Spotify Apple Music

YouTube Music YouTube Deezer Bandcamp SoundCloud

Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

→
Chromatic Chimera — This opening track sets the tone with its aggressive rhythms and rapid genre shifts, encapsulating the band's signature style. It features intricate musicianship that immediately draws listeners into their complex world.
→
Feasting Fools — The juxtaposition of harsh vocals and melodic interludes illustrates the band's dynamic range while exploring themes of excess and indulgence. Its structure showcases Unexpect's talent for blending dissonance with harmony.
→
Psychic Jugglers — At over eleven minutes long, this track is an epic journey through varied tempos and styles, representing the album's ambitious scope. Its elaborate orchestration highlights the band's technical prowess and creativity.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album's intricate compositions and unique blend of genres create a distinctive sound that stands out in progressive metal.

What we noticed

The album features abrupt tempo changes, often shifting from fast-paced sections to slow, atmospheric interludes within the same track.
Vocal styles vary dramatically, incorporating operatic singing, growls, and spoken word, creating a diverse auditory experience.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 9/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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 Chromatic Chimera 5:52
2 Feasting Fools 6:17
3 Desert Urbania 7:29
4 Summoning Scenes 7:46
5 Silence 011010701 5:13
6 Megalomaniac Trees 5:57
7 The Shiver: Another Dissonant Chord 3:00
8 The Shiver: Meet Me at the Carrousel 4:07
9 The Shiver: A Clown's Mindtrap 3:41
10 Psychic Jugglers 11:10

What to play next

Listen next

Fables of the Sleepless Empire

2011

Go back to

Utopia

1999

Full Unexpect discography Artists like Unexpect

progressive metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata