Payment of Existence
Communic · 2008
62 min · 8 tracks · progressive metal
Epic and intricate progressive metal intertwines with philosophical themes, creating a brooding yet melodic sonic landscape.
Top tracks — play these first
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On Ancient Ground — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its expansive melodies and intricate arrangements, showcasing the band's technical prowess and thematic depth.
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Payment of Existence — The title track encapsulates the album's exploration of existential themes through a blend of haunting melodies and powerful riffs, making it a pivotal moment.
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Raven’s Cry — With its dynamic shifts and emotive storytelling, this track exemplifies Communic's ability to blend heaviness with lyrical introspection.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases ambitious compositions with philosophical themes, though it may not reach beyond its genre's core audience.
What we noticed
- The album features lengthy tracks, with most exceeding six minutes, allowing for complex arrangements and thematic development.
- Lyrical themes explore philosophical concepts, often reflecting on existence and the human condition, which are woven into the intricate musical structures.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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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
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- epic soundscapes for introspection
- patient exploration of complex themes
- brooding melodies with philosophical depth
- long tracks that unfold gradually
Maybe skip if you
- prefer short, immediate satisfaction
- want upbeat, fast-paced music
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Payment of Existence' was released in 2008, Communic had established themselves as a formidable force in the progressive metal scene with two previous albums. This record followed their critically acclaimed sophomore effort, 'Waves of Visual Decay', and marked continued evolution in their sound and lyrical depth.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Evergrey· Pain of Salvation· Threshold
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 On Ancient Ground 8:44
- 2 The Abandoned One 8:45
- 3 Becoming of Man 7:54
- 4 Payment of Existence 7:32
- 5 Through the Labyrinth of Years 5:39
- 6 Raven’s Cry 8:18
- 7 Unpredictables of Life 6:39
- 8 Stone Carved Eyes 9:11
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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