Metal Fatigue
Allan Holdsworth · 1985
37 min · 6 tracks · jazz
A virtuosic blend of jazz fusion and progressive rock, showcasing intricate guitar work and complex compositions.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Metal Fatigue — The title track captures the album's essence with its frenetic energy and showcases Holdsworth's signature guitar style amid complex time signatures.
-
→
Devil Take the Hindmost — This track stands out for its fast-paced solos and rhythmic intricacies, demonstrating Holdsworth's technical prowess and improvisational skills.
-
→
The Un‐Merry‐Go‐Round (In Loving Memory of My Father) — As one of the longest tracks on the album, it offers a deep emotional journey through layered melodies and harmonies, showcasing Holdsworth's compositional depth.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album features intricate compositions and virtuosic performances, establishing Holdsworth's distinct voice in jazz fusion.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a title track that sets a high-energy tone, while subsequent tracks explore varying moods and intensities.
- 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
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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 progression with climactic moments
- virtuosic guitar showcases throughout
- thoughtful listening for deep focus
- intense moments of musical complexity
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer straightforward song structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Upon its release in 1985, Metal Fatigue marked Allan Holdsworth's transition into solo artistry following his tenure with Soft Machine and UK. This album was crucial as it established him as a leading figure in the jazz fusion genre, following his previous work on the acclaimed album Road Games in 1983.
- Stylistic neighbors
- John McLaughlin· Pat Metheny· Frank Gambale
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Metal Fatigue 4:54
- 2 Home 5:29
- 3 Devil Take the Hindmost 5:33
- 4 Panic Station 3:31
- 5 The Un‐Merry‐Go‐Round (In Loving Memory of My Father) 14:06
- 6 In the Mystery 3:49
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.