Seasons of the Black
Rage · 2017
51 min · 11 tracks · heavy metal
A thunderous blend of heavy and power metal, forging epic narratives with relentless energy and intricate instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
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Season of the Black — Opening the album with powerful riffs and anthemic choruses, this track sets the tone for the themes of darkness and struggle explored throughout.
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The Tragedy of Man, Part 3: Bloodshed in Paradise — This track encapsulates the overarching narrative of human conflict and despair, delivering a compelling blend of melodic elements and intense instrumentation.
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Serpents in Disguise — With its driving rhythm and sharp lyrical commentary on deception and betrayal, this song exemplifies Rage's ability to marry hard-hitting music with thought-provoking themes.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends heavy and power metal with ambitious storytelling, showcasing strong musicianship throughout.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a title track that features a gradual build-up before launching into fast-paced guitar riffs and powerful vocals.
- The four-part suite 'The Tragedy of Man' occupies the last four tracks, each section varying in tempo and intensity while maintaining thematic continuity.
- Several tracks incorporate intricate guitar solos that showcase technical proficiency, particularly in 'Serpents in Disguise' and 'Blackened Karma'.
- The overall production features layered harmonies and dynamic shifts, creating an epic soundscape typical of power metal.
- 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
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 journey with thematic peaks
- cathartic release for heavy emotions
- engaging narrative-driven listening experience
- immersive storytelling through each track
- for reflective late nights
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- dislike thematic exploration
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Seasons of the Black marks Rage's 23rd studio album, released after a lineup change that brought in new guitarist Marcos Rodriguez. Following the success of their previous album, The Devil Strikes Again (2016), this release showcases the band's commitment to evolving their sound while maintaining their signature style.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Blind Guardian· Helloween· Gamma Ray
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Season of the Black 4:55
- 2 Serpents in Disguise 4:13
- 3 Blackened Karma 4:38
- 4 Time Will Tell 5:04
- 5 Septic Bite 4:20
- 6 Walk Among the Dead 4:05
- 7 All We Know Is Not 4:20
- 8 The Tragedy of Man, Part 1: Gaia 1:02
- 9 The Tragedy of Man, Part 2: Justify 6:09
- 10 The Tragedy of Man, Part 3: Bloodshed in Paradise 5:39
- 11 The Tragedy of Man, Part 4: Farewell 7:21
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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