What makes Paragon of Dissonance by Esoteric notable?

Paragon of Dissonance received critical acclaim for its intricate soundscapes and emotional depth, often cited as a defining work within funeral doom metal. It has influenced countless bands in the genre and secured Esoteric's position as one of its leading acts, being praised in notable publications such as Metal Hammer and Decibel Magazine. Released in 2011, Paragon of Dissonance is Esoteric's fifth studio album, following their 2008 effort, The Maniacal Vale. At this point in their career, the band had established themselves as a key player in the funeral doom metal scene, known for their lengthy compositions and complex arrangements. This album continued to solidify their reputation as pioneers within the genre.

How many songs are on Paragon of Dissonance?

Paragon of Dissonance has 7 tracks, running approximately 90 minutes.

Paragon of Dissonance

Esoteric · 2011

90 min · 7 tracks · funeral doom metal

A dense tapestry of crushing riffs and haunting melodies unfolds, enveloping the listener in an abyss of despair and introspection.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Abandonment — Opening with a haunting atmosphere, this track sets the tone for the entire album with its expansive structure and slow-building intensity that exemplifies Esoteric's signature style.
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Loss of Will — This track showcases a shift in dynamics with contrasting heavy passages and ethereal sections, highlighting the band's ability to create emotional highs and lows within their lengthy compositions.
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Disconsolate — With its relentless pace and overwhelming heaviness, this song encapsulates themes of despair while exemplifying the technical proficiency that defines Esoteric's sound.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

68 /100

Alpine

Higher than 93% of albums we've rated

The album's intricate soundscapes and emotional depth make it a significant entry in funeral doom metal.

What we noticed

The album features lengthy tracks, with most exceeding eight minutes, allowing for gradual development of themes and motifs.
Riffs often alternate between slow, crushing heaviness and more melodic passages, creating a dynamic contrast within each song.
The use of ambient interludes between heavier sections serves to enhance the overall atmosphere of despair and introspection.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 8/10
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.