Rare Trax cover

Rare Trax

Meshuggah · 2001

55 min · 10 tracks · progressive metal · extreme metal · avant-garde metal

A raw and unfiltered collection of Meshuggah's early experiments with complex rhythms and heavy sonic textures.

Why this album works

While primarily a collection of rarities, 'Rare Trax' serves to solidify Meshuggah's legacy in the metal community by highlighting their experimental roots. The album has been well-received among fans for its unique content, further establishing the band's influence on the djent movement that would gain momentum in the following years.
Best for
dynamic progression with peaks wave-like pacing throughout raw sonic experimentation vibes
Context
Released in 2001, 'Rare Trax' captures Meshuggah during a period of growing recognition following their influential album 'Chaosphere' (1998). This compilation showcases early demos and alternative versions, providing insight into the band's evolving sound as they prepared for their next studio release, 'Nothing'.
Stylistic neighbors
Voyager· Jinjer· Loathe

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 War 2:49
  • 2 Cadaverous Mastication Standout 7:51
  • 3 Sovereigns Morbidity 4:31
  • 4 Debt of Nature Standout 7:20
  • 5 By Emptyness Abducted 4:51
  • 6 Don't Speak 3:28
  • 7 Abnegating Cecity (demo version '90) 6:25
  • 8 Internal Evidence (demo version '90) 7:01
  • 9 Concatenation (remix) Standout 6:18
  • 10 Ayahuasca Experience 4:33

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata