Intrinsic
The Contortionist · 2012
45 min · 10 tracks · progressive metal
Intricate soundscapes blend atmospheric passages with intricate guitar work, creating a captivating journey through progressive metal.
Top tracks — play these first
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Holomovement — As the opening track, it sets the tone for the album with its ethereal atmosphere and intricate layering, drawing listeners into the band's sonic world.
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Causality — This track showcases the band's technical proficiency while maintaining an emotional core, effectively balancing heaviness and melody.
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Feedback Loop — With its dynamic shifts and engaging rhythms, this song exemplifies the band's ability to weave complex arrangements into a cohesive narrative.
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Geocentric Confusion — This track stands out for its blend of progressive elements and atmospheric interludes, highlighting the band's unique sound within the genre.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate compositions and seamless transitions, solidifying its place in progressive metal.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a track that gradually builds layers of sound, introducing ambient textures before heavier instrumentation kicks in.
- The transitions between tracks often blend seamlessly, creating a continuous flow rather than distinct separations.
- The final track features an extended atmospheric outro that contrasts sharply with the preceding intensity, allowing for a reflective conclusion.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- 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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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- intricate soundscapes that captivate
- patient unfolding of musical ideas
- immersive journeys through sound
- thought-provoking instrumental explorations
Maybe skip if you
- prefer straightforward song structures
- want immediate gratification
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Intrinsic is The Contortionist's second studio album, released after their debut Exoplanet in 2010. By this point, the band was solidifying their identity within the progressive metal scene, showcasing a more mature sound and complex compositions that built upon their earlier work.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Holomovement 6:29
- 2 Feedback Loop 5:09
- 3 Causality 4:28
- 4 Sequential Vision 3:55
- 5 Geocentric Confusion 5:50
- 6 Dreaming Schematic 4:36
- 7 Anatomy Anomalies 5:02
- 8 Cortical 4:43
- 9 Sollipsis 1:36
- 10 Parallel Trance 3:21
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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