What does Koloss sound like?

A relentless fusion of polyrhythmic complexity and heavy grooves that challenge the boundaries of extreme metal. Rooted in progressive metal and extreme metal. Start with "I Am Colossus".

Is Koloss a good place to start with Meshuggah?

Yes, Koloss is recommended as a starting point for new Meshuggah listeners. A relentless fusion of polyrhythmic complexity and heavy grooves that challenge the boundaries of extreme metal. Released in 2012, Koloss is Meshuggah's seventh studio album, following their critically acclaimed release ObZen from 2008. At this point in their career, they were solidifying their status as pioneers of the djent movement and avant-garde metal, continuing to push musical boundaries with innovative songwriting and complex time signatures.

Koloss works well if you're into steady mid-tempo progression, relentless polyrhythmic intensity and immersive in-order listening.

How many songs are on Koloss?

Koloss has 10 tracks, running approximately 54 minutes.

Koloss

Meshuggah · 2012

54 min · 10 tracks · progressive metal

A relentless fusion of polyrhythmic complexity and heavy grooves that challenge the boundaries of extreme metal.

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Top tracks — play these first

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I Am Colossus Start here — As the album opener, this track sets a monumental tone with its crushing riffs and powerful lyrics about struggle and resilience, encapsulating the album's thematic essence.
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The Demon’s Name Is Surveillance — This track features intricate rhythmic patterns intertwined with a haunting atmosphere, showcasing Meshuggah's ability to blend technicality with emotional depth.
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Demiurge — With its labyrinthine structure and relentless intensity, this song exemplifies Meshuggah's signature approach to songwriting, merging complexity with sheer sonic force.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

73 /100

Alpine

Higher than 96% of albums we've rated

Koloss showcases intricate compositions and high-level execution, solidifying Meshuggah's unique sound in progressive metal.

What we noticed

The album features complex polyrhythmic patterns that shift frequently, creating a sense of unpredictability.
Tracks often utilize abrupt tempo changes, with some songs transitioning from slow, heavy sections to fast, intricate passages.
Several tracks incorporate dissonant chord progressions and unconventional song structures, challenging traditional metal forms.

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

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady mid-tempo progression
relentless polyrhythmic intensity
immersive in-order listening
cathartic sonic heaviness

Maybe skip if you

seeking instant gratification
prefer short standalone tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Breakthrough — Koloss marked a high point in chart performance, solidifying their reputation.
Themes: mechanical oppression· cybernetic surveillance
Career context: Released in 2012, Koloss is Meshuggah's seventh studio album, following their critically acclaimed release ObZen from 2008. At this point in their career, they were solidifying their status as pioneers of the djent movement and avant-garde metal, continuing to push musical boundaries with innovative songwriting and complex time signatures.
Stylistic neighbors: Gojira· Tesseract· Between the Buried and Me