The Powerless Rise
As I Lay Dying · 2010
44 min · 11 tracks · metalcore
Dynamic metalcore riffs intertwine with introspective lyrics, creating a sound that is both aggressive and contemplative.
Top tracks — play these first
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Beyond Our Suffering — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its relentless energy and establishes key themes of struggle and perseverance that resonate throughout.
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Anodyne Sea — The song features intricate guitar work and shifts in tempo that highlight the band's technical prowess while exploring themes of introspection and emotional turmoil.
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The Only Constant Is Change — Closing the album, this track encapsulates the overarching message of transformation and resilience against adversity, leaving listeners with a sense of reflection.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Dynamic shifts and vocal contrasts create an engaging metalcore experience, though it follows established genre conventions.
What we noticed
- The first three tracks feature rapid tempo changes, alternating between aggressive riffs and melodic interludes.
- The album's final track features a gradual build-up that culminates in an extended instrumental outro, creating a sense of closure.
- 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
- steady mid-tempo progression
- introspective themes of struggle
- cathartic release through intensity
- focused listening for reflection
Maybe skip if you
- prefer upbeat instant gratification
- dislike aggressive instrumentation
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in 2010, The Powerless Rise was As I Lay Dying's fifth studio album, following their critically acclaimed album, An Ocean Between Us. At this point in their career, the band had solidified their place in the metalcore scene and was experiencing a peak in both their commercial success and artistic expression.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Killswitch Engage· August Burns Red· Parkway Drive
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Beyond Our Suffering 2:49
- 2 Anodyne Sea 4:34
- 3 Without Conclusion 3:15
- 4 Parallels 4:57
- 5 The Plague 3:42
- 6 Anger and Apathy 4:25
- 7 Condemned 2:49
- 8 Upside Down Kingdom 4:00
- 9 Vacancy 4:26
- 10 The Only Constant Is Change 4:07
- 11 The Blinding of False Light 5:04
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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