What makes Midheaven by The Human Abstract notable?

Midheaven received positive reviews from critics, highlighting its ambitious composition and technical proficiency. The album marked a significant moment for the band as they gained recognition within the progressive metal community, contributing to the genre's evolving landscape. Released in January 2008, Midheaven is The Human Abstract's second studio album, following their debut, Nocturne. By this point, the band was solidifying their presence in the progressive metal scene while exploring more complex themes and musical structures, building on the foundation laid by their earlier work.

How many songs are on Midheaven?

Midheaven has 10 tracks, running approximately 43 minutes.

Midheaven

The Human Abstract · 2008

43 min · 10 tracks · progressive metal

Intricate guitar work and dynamic shifts create a cerebral landscape, balancing aggression with ethereal melodies.

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Top tracks — play these first

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A Violent Strike — This opening track sets the tone with its intense instrumentation and intricate time signatures, showcasing the band's technical prowess right from the start.
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Breathing Life Into Devices — The song features a blend of melody and heaviness, illustrating the band's ability to merge emotional depth with complex musicality, making it a standout moment on the album.
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Counting Down the Days — This track exemplifies lyrical introspection combined with soaring guitar lines, encapsulating themes of existential reflection that resonate throughout the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

59 /100

Treeline

Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album showcases ambitious compositions with dynamic shifts but has some uneven pacing.

What we noticed

Guitar solos are layered with intricate harmonies, often creating a contrast between aggressive riffs and melodic passages.
Several tracks incorporate ambient interludes that shift the mood dramatically, such as the transition from 'Calm in the Chaos' to 'Counting Down the Days'.

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: 5/10

Influence 4/10

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.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 A Violent Strike 6:41
2 Procession of the Fates 4:12
3 Breathing Life Into Devices 5:11
4 This World Is a Tomb 3:57
5 Metanoia 3:18
6 The Path 3:03
7 Echoes of the Spirit 4:31
8 Calm in the Chaos 2:46
9 Counting Down the Days 5:48
10 A Dead World at Sunrise 4:18

What to play next

Listen next

Digital Veil

2011

Go back to

Nocturne

2006

Full The Human Abstract discography Artists like The Human Abstract

progressive metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata