Phronesis
Monuments · 2018
39 min · 10 tracks · progressive metal
A complex tapestry of progressive metal intertwines intricate riffs with atmospheric melodies, creating a dynamic listening experience.
Top tracks — play these first
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Hollow King — This track features a powerful chorus juxtaposed with aggressive verses, embodying the album's blend of melody and heaviness while highlighting Andy Cizek's vocal range.
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Leviathan — With its intricate guitar work and dynamic shifts, Leviathan encapsulates the technical prowess of the band while exploring themes of struggle and resilience.
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Mirror Image — This track combines intricate rhythms with impactful lyrical content, illustrating Monuments' ability to craft songs that are both musically complex and emotionally resonant.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate compositions and strong production, solidifying Monuments' place in progressive metal.
What we noticed
- Each track incorporates both heavy, distorted riffs and melodic interludes, often alternating between aggressive and atmospheric sections.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- 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
- dynamic shifts in pace
- intricate riffs with depth
- atmospheric melodies for focus
- engaging layers to unpack
Maybe skip if you
- seeking straightforward sing-alongs
- prefer instant gratification tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Phronesis is Monuments' third studio album, released in 2018, following their 2014 album, The Amanuensis. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their place within the progressive metal scene after lineup changes that included new vocalist Andy Cizek. The album reflects their continued evolution as they refined their sound and artistic vision.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Periphery· Tesseract· Animals as Leaders
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Jukai
The bridge introduces a moment of vulnerability where the narrative shifts from reflection to an urgent plea for connection.
This shift in tone contrasts with the rest of the song's intensity, demonstrating a layered emotional depth that enriches the overall narrative.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 A.W.O.L 4:02
- 2 Hollow King 2:53
- 3 Vanta 3:55
- 4 Mirror Image 4:56
- 5 Ivory 3:36
- 6 Stygian Blue 3:03
- 7 Leviathan 4:34
- 8 Celeste 3:39
- 9 Jukai 4:53
- 10 The Watch 4:16
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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