Portals
Arsonists Get All the Girls · 2009
52 min · 11 tracks · deathcore
A chaotic blend of technical deathcore and experimental elements, propelling listeners through an intense sonic journey.
Top tracks — play these first
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The 42nd Ego — This track showcases the band's signature blend of melodic hooks and complex rhythms, capturing the tension between chaos and cohesion that defines the album.
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In the Empyreans — A standout moment that combines atmospheric elements with aggressive instrumentation, illustrating the band's ability to create dynamic contrasts throughout the album.
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Portals — The title track serves as a climactic centerpiece, weaving intricate musical themes and showcasing the band's technical prowess over its expansive runtime.
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Tea Time Tibbons — Its lengthy structure allows for an adventurous exploration of sound, ultimately representing the album's thematic depth and complexity through varied sonic landscapes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases complex compositions and genre-blending but has moments that disrupt its overall flow.
What we noticed
- The last three tracks incorporate ambient soundscapes that contrast sharply with the preceding intensity, allowing for a moment of reflection before the conclusion.
- 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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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
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
- chaotic bursts of energetic intensity
- dynamic shifts in sonic exploration
- immersive journeys through soundscapes
- unexpected twists and turns
Maybe skip if you
- prefer calm, soothing melodies
- want straightforward song structures
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2009, Portals is Arsonists Get All the Girls' third studio album, following their previous release, The Game of Life. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their unique sound within the deathcore genre while exploring more progressive and experimental influences.
- Stylistic neighbors
- The Red Chord· Job for a Cowboy· Whitechapel
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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My Cup's Half Empty
The verses shift from abstract imagery to stark confessions about disillusionment, contrasting internal struggles against external perceptions.
This structural choice deepens the emotional impact by juxtaposing personal vulnerability with societal expectations, enhancing the song's overall narrative arc.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Interdimensionary 1:24
- 2 The 42nd Ego 3:30
- 3 My Cup's Half Empty 3:01
- 4 Skiff for the Suits 3:39
- 5 In the Empyreans 4:03
- 6 Saturnine 3:22
- 7 Violence in Fluid: Triceratops 4:01
- 8 Portals 7:26
- 9 I Lost My Loss of Ruin 2:58
- 10 To Playact in Static 4:50
- 11 Tea Time Tibbons 14:44
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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