What makes Portals to Canaan by Deeds of Flesh notable?

Portals to Canaan received positive critical acclaim, often noted for its complex compositions and dark lyrical themes, solidifying Deeds of Flesh's influence in the death metal scene. It debuted at number 10 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart, indicating a significant impact within the metal community and establishing their relevance after years away from the forefront. Upon the release of Portals to Canaan in 2013, Deeds of Flesh was in a unique position as they were returning from a seven-year hiatus since their previous album, 2008's Of What's to Come. The band had undergone lineup changes during this period, which influenced their creative direction and sound. This album marked their first full-length release on Unique Leader Records since reuniting, showcasing a matured approach to their technical death metal style.

How many songs are on Portals to Canaan?

Portals to Canaan has 9 tracks, running approximately 42 minutes.

Portals to Canaan

Deeds of Flesh · 2013

42 min · 9 tracks · death metal

Obscure melodies intertwine with brutal rhythms, creating an immersive soundscape that explores themes of decay and existential dread.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Hollow Human Husks — This track combines intricate time signatures with relentless aggression, embodying the band's signature blend of technicality and brutality while exploring themes of human emptiness.
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Portals to Canaan — The title track serves as an atmospheric centerpiece that encapsulates the album’s exploration of existential themes through its haunting melodies and relentless power.
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Rise of the Virvum Juggernaut — This song showcases rapid tempo shifts and complex guitar work, demonstrating the band’s technical prowess and ability to maintain intensity throughout.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

65 /100

Treeline

Higher than 88% of albums we've rated

The album showcases intricate compositions and a unique sound within death metal, though it may not have widespread recognition.

What we noticed

The album features complex song structures with frequent tempo changes, often shifting from blast beats to slower, more melodic sections.
Several tracks incorporate dissonant melodies that create a sense of unease, particularly in the guitar work and vocal delivery.

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: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

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 Amidst the Ruins 4:32
2 Entranced in Decades of Psychedelic Sleep 6:39
3 Rise of the Virvum Juggernaut 4:13
4 Celestial Serpents 5:36
5 Caelum Hirundines Terra / The Sky Swallows the Earth 1:47
6 Xeno-Virus 5:30
7 Hollow Human Husks 4:09
8 Portals to Canaan 4:35
9 Orphans of Sickness 5:26

What to play next

Listen next

Nucleus

2020

Go back to

Of What's to Come

2008

Full Deeds of Flesh discography Artists like Deeds of Flesh

death metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata