What does Mardraum – Beyond the Within sound like?

A sweeping blend of black metal ferocity and progressive intricacy, weaving atmospheric soundscapes with aggressive riffs. Rooted in black metal and progressive metal. Start with "Større enn tid – Tyngre enn natt".

Is Mardraum – Beyond the Within a good place to start with Enslaved?

Yes, Mardraum – Beyond the Within is recommended as a starting point for new Enslaved listeners. A sweeping blend of black metal ferocity and progressive intricacy, weaving atmospheric soundscapes with aggressive riffs. Mardraum – Beyond the Within marked Enslaved's fifth studio album, following their breakthrough with 1997's Eld. By this time, they had solidified their position in the black metal scene while increasingly incorporating progressive elements into their sound. This release continued their evolution, showcasing a mature blend of aggression and melody.

Who is Mardraum – Beyond the Within for?

Mardraum – Beyond the Within works well if you're into wave-like dynamic shifts, haunting melodies with aggression and immersive journey of peaks.

How many songs are on Mardraum – Beyond the Within?

Mardraum – Beyond the Within has 11 tracks, running approximately 58 minutes.

Mardraum – Beyond the Within

Enslaved · 2000

58 min · 11 tracks · black metal

A sweeping blend of black metal ferocity and progressive intricacy, weaving atmospheric soundscapes with aggressive riffs.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Større enn tid – Tyngre enn natt Start here — This opening track encapsulates the album's thematic essence, merging atmospheric introspection with aggressive instrumentation, setting an epic tone for what follows.
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Entrance – Escape — With its dynamic shifts between tranquility and chaos, this track exemplifies Enslaved's ability to fuse melodic elements with intense black metal ferocity.
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Krigaren eg ikkje kjende — This song showcases complex arrangements and philosophical lyricism, reflecting on themes of identity and existential struggle within a rich sonic landscape.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

60 /100

Treeline

Higher than 66% of albums we've rated

Ambitious compositions and varied vocal styles mark this as a significant entry in progressive black metal.

What we noticed

The album features lengthy tracks, with several exceeding six minutes, allowing for extended instrumental passages and atmospheric build-ups.
Vocals alternate between harsh screams and clean singing, often layered to create a dense vocal texture that complements the instrumentation.

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: 7/10
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

wave-like dynamic shifts
haunting melodies with aggression
immersive journey of peaks
thought-provoking headphone exploration

Maybe skip if you

prefer straightforward song structures
seek instant gratification

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — Noted for ambitious composition, influencing progressive black metal.
Career context: Mardraum – Beyond the Within marked Enslaved's fifth studio album, following their breakthrough with 1997's Eld. By this time, they had solidified their position in the black metal scene while increasingly incorporating progressive elements into their sound. This release continued their evolution, showcasing a mature blend of aggression and melody.
Stylistic neighbors: Opeth· Agalloch· Ne Obliviscaris