Riddles, Ruins & Revelations
Sirenia · 2021
52 min · 11 tracks · gothic metal
Majestic orchestration intertwines with heavy riffs, creating a haunting atmosphere that reflects both beauty and despair.
Top tracks — play these first
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We Come to Ruins — This track encapsulates the thematic essence of the album, exploring decay and introspection through powerful vocals and sweeping instrumentation.
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Into Infinity — With its soaring melodies and driving rhythm, this song represents a high point in emotional expression and showcases Zoldan's vocal prowess.
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Beneath the Midnight Sun — Fusing ethereal soundscapes with a heavy backdrop, this track serves as a haunting reflection on solitude and longing, embodying the album's gothic aesthetic.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong compositions and skilled execution but remains within familiar gothic metal territory.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a heavy riff that is quickly layered with orchestral strings, creating a dense soundscape.
- Several tracks incorporate choral elements, adding depth and a sense of grandeur to the arrangements.
- The final track shifts to a more subdued tempo, providing a reflective conclusion that contrasts with the preceding intensity.
- 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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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. 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
- steady mid-tempo atmospheric flow
- haunting narratives for deep reflection
- darkly poetic storytelling experience
- immersive listening for introspective moments
Maybe skip if you
- seeking upbeat, fast-paced tracks
- prefer standalone singles over albums
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on February 12, 2021, 'Riddles, Ruins & Revelations' marks Sirenia's seventh studio album. Following the departure of longtime vocalist Ailyn Giménez García, this album introduces new vocalist Emmanuelle Zoldan, representing a significant shift in the band's sound and direction. This change coincides with the band's exploration of themes surrounding existentialism and emotional turmoil.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Epica· Nightwish· Within Temptation
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Addiction No. 1 4:03
- 2 Towards an Early Grave 5:27
- 3 Into Infinity 4:41
- 4 Passing Seasons 4:43
- 5 We Come to Ruins 5:12
- 6 Downwards Spiral 5:55
- 7 Beneath the Midnight Sun 4:43
- 8 The Timeless Waning 4:04
- 9 December Snow 5:20
- 10 This Curse of Mine 4:18
- 11 Voyage Voyage 4:18
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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