The Oblivion Particle
Spock's Beard · 2015
72 min · 10 tracks · progressive metal
A complex tapestry of intricate musicianship and soaring melodies that captures the essence of modern progressive rock.
Top tracks — play these first
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Bennett Built a Time Machine — This track stands out for its playful narrative about time travel intertwined with complex musical shifts that showcase the band's technical prowess and storytelling ability.
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Tides of Time — Opening the album, this song encapsulates the band's quintessential sound with sweeping melodies and intricate arrangements, setting a compelling tone for the record.
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Get Out While You Can — This track features a driving rhythm and urgent lyrics that create a sense of tension, illustrating the band's ability to fuse emotional weight with dynamic instrumentation.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases intricate musicianship and varied dynamics, appealing to fans of progressive metal while maintaining a cohesive sound.
What we noticed
- Vocals are layered with harmonies throughout, often alternating between lead and backing vocals to create a rich texture.
- The final track includes a reprise of themes from earlier songs, creating a sense of closure and continuity across the album.
- 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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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
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 emotional peaks
- headphone detail hunting experience
- wave-like pacing that captivates
- intricate melodies for focused listening
Maybe skip if you
- seeking instant gratification
- prefer standalone tracks only
Where this album fits
- Career context
- The Oblivion Particle is Spock's Beard's eleventh studio album, released in 2015 after a five-year hiatus following the critically acclaimed brief return to their classic lineup with 2010's X. At this point, the band was exploring new sonic territories while maintaining their signature blend of intricate compositions and lyrical depth, marking a phase of both renewal and experimentation in their long career.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Dream Theater· Symphony X· Transatlantic
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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To Be Free Again
A pivotal moment occurs when the lyrics shift from introspection to a direct call for liberation, marking a significant emotional peak in the song.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Tides of Time 7:47
- 2 Minion 6:56
- 3 Hell’s Not Enough 6:23
- 4 Bennett Built a Time Machine 6:55
- 5 Get Out While You Can 4:58
- 6 A Better Way to Fly 9:01
- 7 The Center Line 7:05
- 8 To Be Free Again 10:29
- 9 Disappear 6:39
- 10 Iron Man 6:14
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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