Released 20 years ago
Samsara
Yakuza · 2006
50 min · 10 tracks · progressive metal
A complex fusion of progressive metal and world music that challenges genre boundaries with intricate rhythms and philosophical themes.
Top tracks — play these first
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Cancer of Industry — This track opens the album with a powerful critique of modern society’s deterioration, setting a tone of disillusionment that permeates the record.
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Exterminator — A standout for its dynamic shifts and complex arrangements, this track showcases the band's ability to blend aggression with melodic passages seamlessly.
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Back to the Mountain — Closing the album, this lengthy piece embodies the band’s philosophical explorations, combining introspective lyrics with expansive instrumentation.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Samsara showcases intricate compositions and a unique blend of styles, appealing to both progressive metal fans and those seeking depth.
What we noticed
- Several tracks incorporate unconventional instrumentation, blending traditional metal elements with world music influences such as flutes and percussive instruments.
- Lyrically, the album explores philosophical themes, with songs like 'Dishonor' and 'Back to the Mountain' presenting abstract concepts that invite deeper reflection.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- 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
- dynamic emotional journeys
- long, immersive listening sessions
- layered, dense sonic textures
- gradual builds and payoffs
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Samsara is Yakuza's third studio album, following their 2002 release, Way of the Dead. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their unique sound, blending heavy metal with diverse influences. This album marked a deeper exploration of thematic content, reflecting their artistic growth since their debut.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Cancer of Industry 3:02
- 2 Plecostomus 3:37
- 3 Monkeytail 5:23
- 4 Transmission Ends... Signal Lost 1:27
- 5 Dishonor 5:19
- 6 20 Bucks 5:01
- 7 Exterminator 7:25
- 8 Just Say Know 2:57
- 9 Glory Hole 6:57
- 10 Back to the Mountain 9:02
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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