The Direction of Last Things cover

The Direction of Last Things

Intronaut · 2015

46 min · 7 tracks · progressive metal

A complex interplay of progressive metal textures and introspective melodies that challenges the boundaries of the genre.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Fast Worms — The opening track sets a tone of urgency and complexity, showcasing intricate rhythms and dynamic shifts that encapsulate the album's essence.
  • →
    Digital Gerrymandering — This track stands out for its exploration of modern anxieties through heavy riffs and atmospheric elements, highlighting the band's thematic depth.
  • →
    The Direction of Last Things — The title track serves as a reflective centerpiece, combining haunting melodies with thought-provoking lyrical content that resonates throughout the album.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

68 /100
Alpine
Higher than 93% of albums we've rated

The album showcases ambitious compositions and dynamic contrasts typical of progressive metal, rewarding repeated listens.

What we noticed

  • Several tracks incorporate extended instrumental sections that blend heavy riffs with atmospheric melodies, allowing for dynamic contrasts.
Composition 25% of the score
8/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
8/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

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.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • introspective moments of reflection
  • complex rhythms for deep focus
  • atmospheric textures for immersion
  • cathartic crescendos throughout tracks

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer instant gratification
  • seek straightforward song structures

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 2015, The Direction of Last Things is Intronaut's fourth studio album, following 2013's Habitual Levitations. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their unique sound, blending elements of progressive metal with intricate musicality and philosophical themes.
Stylistic neighbors
Cult of Luna· Mastodon· The Ocean

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Digital Gerrymandering

    The verse shifts to directly confront societal issues with a stark clarity that breaks from previous ambiguity.

    This moment marks a pivotal shift in the narrative, moving from abstract themes to concrete social critique, enhancing the album's emotional impact.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Fast Worms 6:58
  • 2 Digital Gerrymandering 8:08
  • 3 The Pleasant Surprise 4:02
  • 4 The Unlikely Event of a Water Landing 8:07
  • 5 Sul Ponticello 7:34
  • 6 The Direction of Last Things 5:18
  • 7 City Hymnal 5:55

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata