The Incident
Porcupine Tree · 2009
75 min · 18 tracks · progressive metal
A sprawling journey through progressive soundscapes, blending intricate melodies with heavy, atmospheric textures.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Blind House Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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Time Flies — Clocking in at over eleven minutes, this track encapsulates the album’s themes of existential reflection through dynamic shifts and emotive instrumentation.
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The Incident — As the title track, it serves as the centerpiece of the album, weaving together musical motifs that reflect the overarching narrative while showcasing the band’s signature progressive style.
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Kneel and Disconnect — This track stands out with its haunting atmosphere and poignant lyrics, representing a crucial moment of introspection within the larger narrative arc of 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 with strong cohesion and distinct progressive elements.
What we noticed
- The album features a continuous piece divided into 14 tracks, with seamless transitions that create an overarching narrative flow.
- Several tracks incorporate extended instrumental sections, allowing for atmospheric build-ups and intricate guitar solos.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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9/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. 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 flow with emotional peaks
- immersive journey through varied moods
- reflective moments for deep listening
- wave-like pacing with surprises
- for late-night introspection
Maybe skip if you
- prefer short, standalone tracks
- seek instant gratification
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Critical Peak — Considered a culmination of their progressive sound and ambitious structure.
- Career context
- Released in 2009, The Incident is Porcupine Tree's tenth studio album, marking a critical point following their commercial success with Fear of a Blank Planet. At this stage, the band was exploring more ambitious compositions and storytelling techniques, leading to the album being structured as a continuous piece divided into multiple tracks.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Opeth· Dream Theater· Steven Wilson
Tracklist
- 1 Occam’s Razor 1:55
- 2 The Blind House Start here 5:47
- 3 Great Expectations 1:26
- 4 Kneel and Disconnect 2:03
- 5 Drawing the Line 4:43
- 6 The Incident 5:20
- 7 Your Unpleasant Family 1:48
- 8 The Yellow Windows of the Evening Train 2:00
- 9 Time Flies 11:40
- 10 Degree Zero of Liberty 1:45
- 11 Octane Twisted 5:03
- 12 The Séance 2:39
- 13 Circle of Manias 2:18
- 14 I Drive the Hearse 6:41
- 15 Flicker 3:42
- 16 Bonnie the Cat 5:45
- 17 Black Dahlia 3:40
- 18 Remember Me Lover 7:28
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Ghost Reveries
Opeth
Merges heavy riffs with atmospheric melodies, echoing a similar progressive and conceptual depth.
Second Life Syndrome
Riverside
Shares a narrative-driven approach with intricate compositions and a blend of heavy and ambient textures.
Lateralus
Tool
Explores complex song structures and philosophical themes, creating a cohesive listening experience like 'The Incident'.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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