The Answer Machine?
Skyclad · 1997
58 min · 14 tracks · heavy metal
A fusion of thrash metal intensity and folk melodies, creating a complex tapestry of sound that challenges conventional genre boundaries.
Top tracks — play these first
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Building a Ruin — This track exemplifies Skyclad's signature blend of heavy riffs with acoustic elements, showcasing their ability to convey complex themes through dynamic instrumentation.
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Single Phial — With its intricate guitar work and contemplative lyrics, this song stands out as a highlight, illustrating the band's talent for melding melody with thought-provoking storytelling.
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Eirenarch — The juxtaposition of aggressive verses against melodic choruses in this track captures the essence of Skyclad's musical identity, making it a defining moment on the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases ambitious compositions and varied influences, though its cohesion suffers slightly from its length.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a fast-paced thrash metal track, then shifts to a more melodic folk-influenced sound in the second track.
- The lyrics often employ metaphor and narrative storytelling, which is prominent in tracks like 'Building a Ruin' and 'Catherine at the Wheel'.
- The final track ends on a quiet note with acoustic instrumentation, contrasting sharply with the heavier preceding songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- 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
- gradual builds and payoffs
- layered, dense sonic textures
- thought-provoking lyrical content
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 1997, The Answer Machine? marked Skyclad's fifth studio album and showcased their ongoing evolution within the folk metal genre. Following the critically acclaimed Angels and Daemons at Play, this album found the band further refining their blend of heavy metal and traditional influences while grappling with changing musical landscapes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Finntroll· Eluveitie· Korpiklaani
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 A Clown of Thorns 1:36
- 2 Building a Ruin 3:55
- 3 Worn Out Sole to Heel 3:59
- 4 Single Phial 6:07
- 5 Helium 4:25
- 6 The Thread of Evermore 6:56
- 7 Eirenarch 4:00
- 8 Troublesometimes 4:22
- 9 Isle of Jura 3:59
- 10 Fainting by Numbers 3:42
- 11 My Naked I 3:47
- 12 Catherine at the Wheel 3:43
- 13 Dead Angels on Ice 3:14
- 14 Sins of Emission 4:11
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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