What makes Roots of Eternity by Manticora notable?

Roots of Eternity received critical acclaim within the metal community, praised for its intricate compositions and thematic depth. The album helped solidify Manticora's reputation as a significant player in the European power metal scene, influencing subsequent bands in the genre. Released in 1999, Roots of Eternity is Manticora's debut album, marking their entry into the power and progressive metal scenes. The band, formed in Denmark in 1996, showcased their ambitious sound early on, setting a foundation for their future albums and establishing a unique identity within the genre.

How many songs are on Roots of Eternity?

Roots of Eternity has 10 tracks, running approximately 57 minutes.

Roots of Eternity

Manticora · 1999

57 min · 10 tracks · progressive metal

A grandiose tapestry of progressive melodies interwoven with powerful metal riffs and introspective lyrics.

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Top tracks — play these first

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When Forever Ends — This track exemplifies the band's blend of melodic hooks and complex arrangements, showcasing both emotional depth and technical proficiency.
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The Flood — As one of the longest tracks on the album, it features shifting dynamics and narrative depth that encapsulate the band's storytelling approach.
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Roots of Eternity — The title track stands out for its epic structure and lyrical exploration of existential themes, making it a defining piece of their sound.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album displays intricate compositions and thematic depth but lacks some cohesion in its execution.

What we noticed

Each track typically includes extended instrumental sections that showcase both melodic guitar solos and intricate keyboard arrangements.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

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 ...From Far Beyond 0:29
2 When Forever Ends 6:51
3 The Vision 5:01
4 Intoxicated 6:40
5 Beyond the Walls of Sleep 3:36
6 Nowhere Land 4:52
7 The Flood 9:27
8 Pale Faces 4:35
9 Private Hell 3:46
10 Roots of Eternity 11:45

What to play next

Listen next

Darkness with Tales to Tell

2001

Go back to

To Kill to Live to Kill

Full Manticora discography Artists like Manticora

power metal progressive metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata